Brazil Serie A wrap: Corinthians, Botafogo gain ground

Corinthians and Botafogo both crept up the Brazilian Serie A table after comprehensive wins on Saturday.

Corinthians won 5-1 against mid-table Coritiba, going three goals up inside 20 minutes with Chicao netting from the penalty spot to open the scoring before Fabio Santos and Paulinho got in on the act.

Deivid made it 3-1 in the 32nd minute but Paulo Guerrero restored Corinthians’ three-goal cushion on 65 minutes and Paulinho completed his brace four minutes later to make it 5-1.

Corinthians moved up to sixth with the three points while Botafogo are a spot higher after downing Portuguesa 3-0.

Bruno Mendes put Botafogo ahead on 12 minutes and Fellype Gabriel and Vitor Junior added the gloss with further goals in the second half.

And bottom side Atletico GO stunned Santos with two goals in the last five minutes to win 2-1, ending a four-game losing streak in the league.

Bruno Rodrigo put Santos up on the stroke of half-time but Diogo Campos gave the home side hope with five minutes to play and Marcio slotted home from the penalty spot in the 89th minute to complete the comeback.