Campeonato Paulista wrap: Santos, Guarani through to last four

23 April 2012 05:07

Santos have a third successive Campeonato Paulista title in their sights after beating Mogi Mirim to reach the semi-finals on Sunday.

Defender Maranhao opened the scoring for hosts Santos in the 22nd minute at Estadio Urbano Caldeira.

Brazil international Neymar doubled the led when he struck with 19 minutes remaining.

Awaiting Santos in the last four are Sao Paulo, who defeated Bragantino 4-1 on Saturday.

In Sunday's other quarter-finals, Ponte Preta sprung a surprise to beat Corinthians 3-2 away from home.

Goals from Willian Magrao and Roger gave the visitors a 2-0 half-time lead.

Willian pulled one back for Corinthians on 74 minutes, before Rodrigo Pimpao restored Ponte Preta's two-goal cushion with a minute remaining.

Alex made it a nervous finish for the away side when he pulled another goal back for Corinthians in the 90th minute, but Ponte Preta held on to record an unexpected upset.

They progress to a semi-final against Guarani, who staged a surprise of their own with a 3-2 win at home to Palmeiras.

Jose Fumagalli and Fabinho Souza scored in the 50th and 52nd minutes respectively to give the hosts a 2-0 lead, with veteran Marcos Assuncao pulling one back for Palmeiras just 60 seconds later.

Souza completed his brace and made it 3-1 to Guarani in the 90th minute, before Henrique gave Palmeiras hope with an extra-time strike for the visitors.

But the away side, led by Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning coach Luis Felipe Scolari, were unable to avoid bowing out of the competition.