originally to be promoted to 1988 first division, was sacrificed despite protests. Ironically, América-RJ eventually would be relegated and Internacional-SP clinch the second division title. First division: 24 teams 1st phase: 2 groups of 12. Split round-robin. Top 2 of each stage group qualified. In case one club would be qualified more than once, the open berth would be filled by the top remaining overall stage record. Bottom 4 overall stage teams relegated to second division. Final phase: 8-team double play-offs. (1st overall from one group would play 4th-placed from other group, 2nd play 3rd, etc...). Home advantage according to season record Slim draw advantage (on extra time of second play-off) according to season record (as such, Vasco was eliminated by Fluminense on extra-time as both play-offs ended in a draw, and despite an 18-point season-record lead to Vasco). Second division: 24 teams 1st phase: 4 groups of 6. Double round-robin. Top 4 qualified. Bottom 1 relegated to second division. 2nd phase: 4 groups of 4. Double round-robin. Top 2 qualified. 3rd phase: 2 groups of 4. Double round-robin. Top 2 qualified. Final phase: 1 group of 4. Double round-robin. Top 2 promoted to first division. 1989 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A - This year featured the introduction of Copa do Brasil as the national cup competition. First division: 22 teams ( 2 promoted from 1988 second-division) 1st phase: 2 groups of 11. Modified single split round-robin system, as bottom 3 teams from the first stage would not qualify for second stage. Instead they would dispute a 6-team round-robin group to determine relegation to second division (5-team relegation group actually as Coritiba was outright relegated in a dispute with CBF during the first stage). Bottom 4 teams relegated (3 actually on top of Coritiba). Top 1 teams from each man group qualified. Final phase: Double play-offs with home and draw advantage to better season record (more precisely, better record team chad a one-point advantage and could choose the venue (home or away) order. Vasco choose to play first game away against São Paulo and eventually clinched the title without the need of a home match by winning 0–1. Second division: 96 teams (combining with first division, record participation together with 2000 edition). 1st phase: 16 groups of 6, double round-robin. Top 2 qualified Final phase: 32-team play-offs. Top 2 promoted to 1990 first division. Remaining top 20 qualified to 1990 second