Sao Paulo, Brazil – Botafogo opened its Brasileiro campaign on Sunday with a 4-2 victory over Sao Paulo with the help of three goals from German Herrera.
Jadson put Sao Paulo ahead early with the only goal of the first half, but Herrera leveled the contest shortly after the break before Luis Fabiano restored Sao Paulo's lead on the hour mark.
Herrera brought the two sides level once more when he converted from the penalty spot, while Vitor Junior put Botafogo ahead for the first time in the 71st minute.
Botafogo's lead reached 4-2 when Herrera completed his hat trick, while Oswaldo de Oliveira was sent off 10 minutes from time for Botafogo, which held out for the season-opening win.
Corinthians won the league last season but fell 1-0 to Fluminense as Leandro scored the lone goal in the 71st minute.
Vasco da Gama held on for a 2-1 win over Gremio when Marcelo Moreno missed a penalty kick for Gremio with 10 minutes to play, Internacional doubled up on Coritiba, 2-0, with first-half goals from Leandro Damiao and Dagoberto, while Atletico Mineiro claimed a 1-0 triumph at Ponte Preta on a stoppage-time goal from Damian Escudero.
Sunday's action also produced a pair of 0-0 draws as Cruzeiro and Goianiense finished without a goal, as did Santos in its trip to Bahia.
On Saturday, Palmeiras and Portuguesa played to a 1-1 draw as Portuguesa got a late equalizer from Rodriguinho, Vagner Love scored in the 74th minute to help Flamengo to a 1-1 draw at Sport Recife and Figueirense snatched a late home victory against Nautico with Caio scoring in stoppage time after the visitors had Marcio Rosario sent off in the 84th minute.
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