Cruzeiro crushed newly-crowned Copa Libertadores champions Atlético Mineiro 4-1 in the Belo Horizonte derby on Sunday.
Mineiro lifted the trophy for the first time in their history after beating Olimpia 4-3 in a penalty shootout on Wednesday.
And coach Cuca opted to rest all of his leading players, including captain Ronaldinho, despite the trip to their most bitter rivals.
Alecsandro had given Mineiro an 18th-minute lead from the penalty spot, but Cruzeiro took control with goals from midfielders Everton Ribeiro, Nilton and Ricardo Goulart, who scored two.
Cruzeiro’s victory has put them top of the Brasileirão on goal difference but level on 18 points with Internacional, after their 3-0 shock defeat at lowly Náutico.
The hosts began the day bottom of the table and welcomed leaders Inter to the Arena Pernambuco, but managed to cause an upset after late goals from Derley, Rogerio and new signing Maikon Leite.
São Paulo are without a victory in five games after a goalless draw at city rivals Corinthians, while title holders Fluminense suffered their fifth defeat in a row at Grêmio, after a goal apiece from Kléber and Cristian Riveros, which puts both Brazilian giants in the relegation zone.
Flamengo’s Elias netted a last-gasp equaliser in the fourth minute of added time to earn a 1-1 draw at the Maracanã against Botafogo, who went ahead when Rafael Marques finished from Clarence Seedorf’s pass in the 22nd minute.
Elsewhere, Alex netted another goal for Coritiba in a 1-1 draw with Vitória and Marquinhos Gabriel netted a brace to claim three points for Bahia in a 2-1 win over Goiás.
