Rio de Janeiro, Dec 3 (IANS): A second-half goal from Leandro Pereira handed Chapecoense a 1-0 home victory over Sao Paulo and guaranteed the club's survival in Brazil's top division.

Needing a win in the last game of the season to be sure of avoiding relegation, Chapecoense on Sunday struggled for most of the match at their Conda Arena.

But Pereira broke the deadlock in the 68th minute with a powerful close-range header after a Hector Canteros cross from the right, reports Xinhua news agency.

The result lifted Chapecoense to 14th in the 20-team standings, two points clear of the drop zone.

Sao Paulo were left fifth, enough to secure a place in next year's Copa Libertadroes, South America's top club competition.

Meanwhile, Vasco da Gama also celebrated their Serie A survival after a 0-0 draw at Ceara, a result that left them just one point clear of relegation.

There was no such joy for Sport Recife, who joined America Mineiro, Vitoria and Parana as the competition's demoted clubs despite a 2-1 home win over Santos.

In other last-day matches on Sunday, champions Palmeiras won 3-2 at home to Vitoria, Internacional drew 1-1 at Parana, Cruzeiro held Bahia to a goalless draw in Salvador, Fluminense secured a 1-0 home victory over America Mineiro and Gremio won 1-0 at home to Corinthians.