Brazil Serie A wrap: Flu close in on title

Fluminense have moved further ahead in Brazil’s Serie A thanks to a 2-1 win over Coritiba, with Wellington Nem the key man for the victors.

Nem scored Fluminense’s opener and then set up Thiago Neves to make it 2-0 for the home side and while Everton Ribeiro hit back for Coritiba in the 81st minute, the league leaders held on and moved nine points clear at the top of the table.

Fluminense hit the front in the 16th minute when Coritiba gave the ball away in their defensive half and it fell to Nem, who burst past a defender and then finished underneath visiting goalkeeper Vanderlei.

In the 70th minute, Nem got around an opponent on the right-hand side of the penalty area with some trickery and then chipped a perfectly-weighted cross to the back post and Neves headed home from a tight angle.

When Fluminense failed to clear the ball away in the 81st minute, Ribeiro pounced to smash the ball home for the visitors, but Coritiba could not find an equaliser and the home team moved to 72 points with five rounds left.

Atletico Mineiro still have a chance of overhauling Fluminense as they have a game in hand and are on 63 points, but third-placed Gremio (59 points) are out of the title race.

In other results in Brazil’s Serie A on Thursday, Ponte Preta joined Cruzeiro on 43 points in mid-table after beating them 1-0, while Santos were held to a scoreless draw at home by Nautico.