Midfielder Bruno Cesar scored a pair of late goals as Corinthians defeated Guarani 3-1 in coach Mano Menezes’ last league match before taking over as coach of Brazil’s national team.Menezes accepted the Brazil job on Saturday and got Corinthians back atop the Brazilian league on Sunday, the day before he is officially introduced as the new national team coach.
Corinthians fans saluted Menezes, who walked around the field after the match waving at supporters in the grandstands. Players hugged Menezes and hoisted him into the air a few times.
Corinthians now lead the league with 24 points, one more than Fluminense.
Jorge Henrique opened the scoring with a close-range header off a corner a minute into the match at Pacaembu stadium. Guarani equalized via Mazola in the 64th, but Bruno Cesar gave Corinthians the win with a free kick goal in the 78th and a diving header in the 85th.
The four-time Brazilian champion was coming off its first loss in the competition on Wednesday, a 3-1 result at Atletico Goianiense.
Menezes will replace Dunga, who was fired after Brazil’s disappointing 2-1 World Cup quarterfinal loss to Netherlands in South Africa.
Menezes was offered the job after Fluminense coach Muricy Ramalho rejected it because the club wanted him to honor a contract which runs until the end of 2012.