Former World Cup forward Romario notched his first goals for seven months on Wednesday while Sao Paulo scored three times in the last five minutes to beat nine-man Sao Caetano 4-3.

Romario, who rejoined Vasco da Gama last month, netted twice in a 4-1 win over Friburguense which came too late for his team to reach the semi-finals in the first stage of the Brazilian Carioca championship.

Typically, the 39-year-old struck both times from the edge of the six-metre area.

Brazil's [Images] 1994 World Cup hero tapped home a rebound after the Friburguense goalkeeper dropped the ball in the 73rd minute and, one minute later, he slipped past a defender to score with a well-placed shot.

Marco Brito added the fourth goal for Vasco, who had taken an early lead though Diego before being pegged back by Ziquinha in the 15th minute.

Despite the victory, Vasco finished third in Group A as Botafogo and Volta Redonda qualified.

LOSS OF FORM

Romario's last goal was for Vasco's neighbours Fluminense, who sacked him in October after a loss of form.

Sao Paulo went back to the top of the Paulista championship, which uses the conventional league system, following their seven-goal thriller against Sao Caetano.

The drama began in the fifth minute when Sao Paulo goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni kicked an attempted clearance straight at Luiz Claudio and the ball rebounded into the net.

Diego Tardelli equalised with his seventh goal in six games before Sao Caetano regained the lead with a chipped effort by Anailson in the 41st minute, despite having had Triguinho dismissed for violent conduct 15 minutes earlier.

Sao Caetano also had Luiz Claudio sent off four minutes into the second half but, remarkably, increased their lead on the hour through Ze Luiz.

The home side survived 25 minutes of non-stop pressure before capitulating in the closing minutes as Marco Antonio, Grafite and Josue netted for Sao Paulo.

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