A goal from veteran striker Araujo deep into the second-half saw the visitors facing an almost impossible task to remain in the division, before their fate was sealed by results elsewhere.
The day could have been worse for the Pernambuco side, with only a fine save from goalkeeper Saulo denying Nautico a first-half opener from the penalty spot, with Kieza the man denied.
In keeping with the Brasileirão’s custom of sides playing their local rivals on the final day of the campaign, Sport were faced with the thankless task of trying to secure the three points they required to stay in the competition in the confines of Naútico’s Estádio dos Aflitos.
The game didn’t start well for them in their pursuit, though, with an error from Saulo giving Rhayner an opportunity to open the scoring. Short on time, the in-demand forward could only blast his snap-shot over the bar.
Worse followed as Rogerio was felled for a penalty on the right of the area but, after a substantial delay, Kieza’s weak effort was well saved by Saulo low to his right.
Sport once more tried to delay proceedings with a late appearance for the second-half, but were unable to string together a convincing passage of play on the pitch. Once they had fallen behind, with Araujo turning home a poorly defended free-kick, they never truly looked like responding.
And so, with the season at an end, Recife is divided. Naútico will reflect on a campaign that well exceeded expectation and another top-flight season in 2013. For Sport, the focus will shift to securing a return to the top of the Brazilian game once more.
