Gremio retain lead in Brazil with win over Vasco

PORTO ALEGRE, September 1 (Campeonato Brasileiro) - Gremio retained a five-point lead over Palmeiras after the 23rd round of the Campeonato Brasileiro thanks to a 2-1 win over Vasco da Gama on Sunday.

After a goalless first half, Celso Roth's side went ahead in the 54th minute with Soares heading home a Marcel cross. Vasco equalised in the 70th minute through Alan Kardec but three minutes later, Marcel was set-up by Soares to net the winner.

Celso Roth was, however, remaining grounded over the win insisting there is still a long way to go.

'It's too soon yet. The championship is quite long and is very even,' he said.

'Gremio have performed well and we cannot deny that, but we know we must work hard. Nothing else than that. Enthusiasm is bad if you cannot control yourself.'

Gremio lead the championship with 48 points but Palmeiras are closely pursuing them on 43.

In Curitiba, Diego Souza scored a brace to help Palmeiras beat Atletico Paranaense 2-1 as visitors to remain second.

The 23-year-old striker helped Vanderlei Luxemburgo's team go ahead with a header and, even though Alan Bahia levelled the game in the 59th minute, Souza added one more with 18 minutes remaining.

In Rio de Janeiro, Flamengo and Fluminense played out a nailbiting 2-2 draw.

Argentinian playmaker Dario Conca put Copa Libertadores runners-up Fluminense ahead in the 11th minute at the Estadio Maracana, but former Wolfsburg striker Marcelinho equalised in the 25th minute. It was his first goal since his return to Brazil.

Mauricio put Fluminense in the lead again in the 66th minute but Kleberson levelled the scores with a header with two minutes to go.

Flamengo lie seventh in the championship on 37 points, 11 below the leaders but 13 above 15th-placed Fluminense.

In Belo Horizonte, a late equaliser denied Cruzeiro victory as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Coritiba.

Cruzeiro opened the scoring through Ecuadorian defender Giovanni Espinoza in the fourth minute and though Coritiba midfielder Ale was sent-off in the 85th minute for tackling Ramires in the box, Vanderlei saved Guilherme's resultant penalty.

And things got worse when Coritiba equalised through Thiago Silvy.

Reigning two-time champions Sao Paulo drew goalless with Santos while a 58th-minute goal by defender Dutra gave Sport a 1-0 win over Internacional.

Finally, Portuguesa and Atletico Mineiro drew 1-1 with Washington and Cesar Prates scoring respectively.