Wins for defending champions Atlético MG and Palmeiras on Sunday kept the two giants of Brazilian football locked at the top of the Brasileiro Série A table.
They are joined at the summit on 15 points by Corinthians, although they were held to a frustrating draw by Atlético’s neighbours América Mineiro.
Atlético MG’s title defence had got off to a sluggish start, but they are up and running now with back-to-back victories as Avaí was the latest victims of a 2-1 defeat at the Mineirão.
The visitors took a shock lead after 42 minutes through Morato, but the champions were dominant throughout the contest and their pressure eventually told. Hulk and Eduardo Sasha found the goals that would maintain Galo’s grip on top spot.
Meanwhile, in Santos, Palmeiras were made to wait for their winner against their hosts after Raphael Veiga had missed a penalty.
But they eventually found a route to goal through the unlikeliest source with Gustavo Gómez netting just his fourth league goal since the start of the 2019 campaign.
