Brazil Serie A Wrap: Seedorf stunner fires Botafogo top

Clarence Seedorf has led Botafogo to the top of Brazil’s Serie A, scoring the only goal in their 1-0 win over reigning champions Fluminense.

Seedorf thumped the ball home from long range in the 84th minute to give his team victory and with former leaders Coritiba having been held to a 2-2 draw by Flamengo, Botafogo moved into the lead in Brazil’s top tier of football.

Botafogo moved up to 13 points after their fourth win from six games this season, while Coritiba are second on 12.

Vitoria dropped to third on 10 points after a 1-0 loss away to Goias, while Fluminense, Cruzeiro, Internacional, Corinthians and Gremio are all a further point behind on the table.

With the Maracana unavailable, Botafogo took their home game on Sunday from Rio de Janeiro to Recife’s Itaipava Arena Pernambuco and struggled against Fluminense.

The 2012 Serie A champions had 53 percent possession and took 17 shots to Botafogo’s 10 but, with six minutes remaining, the hosts claimed all three points when Seedorf received a pass from Rafael Marques and struck the ball past Fluminense goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri from 25 metres out.

On Saturday, Coritiba had to fight back from two goals down to claim a draw away to Flamengo with Alex leading the way for the visitors.

Flamengo took the lead in the ninth minute through Marcelo Moreno and although the Bolivian striker had a penalty saved with 11 minutes remaining in the first half, the hosts grabbed a deserved second goal just after half-time through Victor Caceres.

Gabriel’s 48th-minute corner was headed in at the back post by Caceres but Coritiba responded five minutes later when Alex’s corner was powered into the net by Chico.

Alex completed Coritiba’s comeback on the hour mark, sending a scorching strike into the roof of the net after some great lead-up work from Victor Ferraz.

Internacional and Corinthians both notched impressive wins on Sunday to move within four points of first place.

Corinthians became the first team to win away at Bahia with a 2-0 victory, while Internacional overcame Vasco da Gama 5-3.

In other Serie A results, Ponte Preta defeated Nautico 3-1, Atletico PR drew 1-1 with Gremio, Santos won 2-0 away to Sao Paulo, Atletico Mineiro overcame Criciuma 3-2 and Portuguesa held Cruzeiro to a 1-1 draw.