RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Former Brazil striker Romario came off the bench to score a 10-minute hat-trick as Vasco da Gama routed Volta Redonda 6-1 in the Carioca championship on Sunday.
Romario, 41, took his career total to 990 goals according to
the tally he has kept himself but which includes goals scored at
junior level and in friendly matches.
Typically, all of his goals - his first since he returned
for a fourth stint at the club where he began his career - were
scored from the edge of the six-metre area.
Romario came on in the 65th minute with Vasco already 3-0
ahead and needed four minutes to make his mark as he
nonchalantly headed home a cross from the right.
In the 75th minute, he scored again from close range after a
one-two and four minutes later rose unmarked to head in another
cross from the right.
In the Paulista championship, Sao Paulo extended their
unbeaten run over arch-rivals Corinthians to 12 games when they
beat their nine-man opponents 3-1 in a stormy match.
Striker Lenilson put Sao Paulo ahead on the half hour with a
low shot from the outside of the area and goalkeeper Rogerio
Ceni added the second from a penalty one minute before halftime.
Leandro tapped in the third from close range in the 58th
minute and Sao Paulo, with their fans in festive mood, began
provoking the Corinthians players with some fancy tricks.
One of them, a cheeky Leandro backheel, sparked a brawl in
the 75th minute, leading to a red card for Corinthians
midfielder Magrao after he clattered into Leandro.
Corinthians, who pulled a goal back through Wilson, also had
Jadilson sent off for a second bookable offence.
Sao Paulo, still unbeaten this year, are third in the table
with 18 points from eight games.
Santos, playing their ninth game in 24 days, overcame
torrential rain as they won 2-1 at Santo Andre to extend their
unbeaten run to 15 games in all competitions.
Midfielder Cleber Santana scored both goals, heading in
Rodrigo Tabata's free kick and then firing home a penalty.
The win kept Vanderlei Luxemburgo's team top with 19 points,
ahead of Sao Caetano on goal difference and with a game in hand.
Santos's last defeat was against Sao Paulo on Nov. 5 in last
year's Brazilian championship.
