Brazil Serie A Wrap: Botafogo, Cruzeiro claim wins

Botafogo moved back on top of the Brazil Serie A with an entertaining 3-2 triumph at Vasco Da Gama on Sunday.

With Cruzeiro going temporarily top on Saturday, Botafogo got off to the perfect start with striker Rafael Marques and Dutch veteran Clarence Seedorf scoring in the first half to secure a 2-0 lead.

But Vasco hit back either side of half-time with Andre scoring on the stroke of the break and two minutes into the second half to level the match.

The deadlock did not last long as Marques completed his brace after 49 minutes and Botafogo hung on to collect an important three points.

Flamengo pushed Atletico Mineiro into the relegation zone with a comfortable 3-0 victory at the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia.

Two goals in the first 15 minutes to Nixon and Elias set the tone before Paulinho rounded out the win with a strike in the 75th minute.

Ponte Preta climbed out of the bottom four with William’s late equaliser salvaging a 1-1 draw against Fluminense.

Defender Gum gave Fluminense a deserved lead after 50 minutes before William’s strike four minutes from time secured a crucial point for Ponte Preta.

Corinthians kept in touch with the leaders as they claimed a 2-0 triumph at Criciuma.

First-half goals to Renato Augusto and Jose Paolo Guerrero were enough to see the Brazilian giants climb to seventh place.

In other results on Sunday, Gremio and Internacional played out a 1-1 draw, Atletico PR saw off Goias 2-0 while Vitoria came from behind to defeat Portuguesa 2-1.

On Saturday, Luan’s 12th-minute strike handed Cruzeiro a 1-0 victory over Coritiba.