By Andrew Downie SAO PAULO, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Cruzeiro were confirmed as Brazilian champions during half time of their 3-1 win over Vitoria on Wednesday when their closest rivals slipped up and helped ease their way to a third national title. There was still 45 minutes to go in their own game but closest challengers Atletico Paranaense went down 2-1 at Criciuma in an earlier match and Cruzeiro knew they could not be caught at the top. They still won the match with second half goals from Ricardo Goulart and Julio Baptista to end the game with a 16-point lead with four matches remaining. "It's hard winning the Brazilian league, there are a lot of good teams," said a jubilant manager Marcelo Oliveira. More...