Brazil Serie A wrap: Wellington fires Cruzeiro, Botafogo sink Internacional

Cruzeiro climbed to second place in the Brazil Serie A on Saturday thanks to a 1-0 home win over Figueirense.

After a goalless first half at the Estadio Raimundo Sampaio, Wellington Paulista proved the difference between the two sides when he fired home after 66 minutes.

The result kept Cruzeiro unbeaten in their five matches this season, and pulled them just one point behind leaders Vasco da Gama, who play Palmeiras on Sunday, and one point ahead of Atletico Mineiro, who are away to Sao Paulo the same day.

In other Saturday results, Botafogo came from behind to defeat Internacional 2-1 away from home.

Dagoberto gave Internacional the ascendancy just after the half-hour mark, but second-half strikes from Andrezinho and Fellype Gabriel handed all three points to the visitors.

And Fluminense moved into sixth place by virtue of their 4-1 home thumping of Portuguesa.

Wellington Nem put the hosts ahead three minutes before the break, and Anderson’s goal eight minutes into the second half made it 2-0.

Ricardo Jesus pulled one back for Portuguesa on 64 minutes, but late strikes from Fred and Argentine substitute Manuel Lanzini helped make sure of the three points for Abel Braga’s team.