Victory keeps Fluminense top of table

Two goals in the space of three second-half minutes helped Fluminense remain top of the Brazilian Campeonato after a 2-0 win at Portuguesa.

Jean Moreira broke the deadlock in the 74th minute before Wellington Nem sealed the victory that keeps Fluminense two points clear.

Atletico Mineiro kept the pressure on the league leaders after Goncalves Silva's 62nd-minute strike helped them to a 1-0 home win over Sao Paulo.

The visitors' cause was not helped by Douglas receiving a red card in the 26th minute and they were made to pay when Goncalves Silva wrapped up the win for Mineiro, who have a game in hand over Fluminense.

Vasco da Gama came from behind to see off struggling Palmeiras 3-1 to close the gap to two points on third placed Gremio - who were not in action tonight.

Luan gave Palmeiras a 24th minute lead but goals from Tenorio (30), Nilton (52) and Juninho (72) ensured there was no upset.

Palmeiras slipped to second bottom after Figueirense moved above them with a 2-0 win over 10-man Cruzeiro.

Joao Paulo opened the scoring in the 35th minute and Aloisio sealed victory two minutes from time, with Leo seeing red for Cruzeiro.

Rock bottom Atletico Goianiense could have moved level on points with Palmeiras but they were beaten 2-1 at home to Coritiba.

Michael Robson put the visitors ahead in the very first minute and although Anderson Patrick levelled 10 minutes later, Deivid De Souza sealed victory for Coritiba just before the hour mark.

Santos left it late to record a 2-0 win over Flamengo, with goals from Victor Andrade and Neymar in the 85th and 87th minutes respectively sealing victory.

Emerson's last-gasp strike rescued a 1-1 draw for Corinthians and ensured they remained on 32 points along with opponents Ponte Preta, who had taken a 68th minute lead through Tiago Alves.

Finally, Sport Recife were punished for not adding to Hugo's fifth-minute strike when Helder's late goal rescued a 1-1 draw for Bahia.