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SAO PAULO, March 31 (Xinhua) -- A first-half goal from Colombian striker Miguel Borja gave Palmeiras a 1-0 victory over Corinthians in the first leg of Brazil's Sao Paulo state championship final on Saturday.
Borja netted with a first-time strike after Willian's cut-back in the seventh minute of a fiery contest at Corinthians Arena.
Both teams were reduced to 10 men when Clayson Vieira and former Brazil international midfielder Felipe Melo were sent off for a heated altercation just before halftime.
Palmeiras need only a draw in the second leg at their Allianz Parque on April 8 to secure the club's first state title since 2008.
On Wednesday, the team will host Peru's Alianza Lima in a Copa Libertadores Group H fixture.
