Curitiba, Brazil (SportsNetwork.com) - Vasco da Gama was relegated from Brazil's top flight on Sunday in an eventful 5-1 loss at Atletico PR.
Paulo Baier had given Atletico PR the lead in the sixth minute, but Edmilson equalized for Vasco just before halftime.
It looked as if Vasco would make it to the dressing room on level terms, but Ederson netted a go-ahead goal almost instantaneously.
The match, which was held at a neutral venue following previous incidents of crowd violence, then erupted in brawls that brought the proceedings to halt as fans and spectators were treated for severe injuries.
Play ultimately resumed after a lengthy postponement, and Atletico PR ran rampant as Marcelo added a third while Ederson tacked on two more to complete the rout and doom Vasco to relegation.
Fluminense became the first club in Brazilian soccer history to suffer relegation the year after winning the title as it also was dropped from the top flight on Sunday despite its 2-1 defeat of Bahia.
A brace from Ronaldinho helped Atletico Mineiro overturn a two-goal deficit to salvage a point from a 2-2 draw with Vitoria on Sunday, and Walter Montillo scored twice to lead Santos to a comfortable 3-0 win at Goias.
Also on Sunday, Botafogo topped 10-man Criciuma in a 3-0 win, Luccas Claro netted the lone goal in Coritiba's 1-0 victory at Sao Paulo, Gremio was held to a 0-0 draw at Portuguesa and Internacional played to a 0-0 draw with Ponte Preta.
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