Brazil Serie A wrap: Fluminense climb table, Sao Paulo win

19 August 2012 04:46

Fluminense moved level on points with Atletico Mineiro at the summit of the Brazilian Serie A, while Sao Paulo returned to winning ways.

A Samuel Rosa strike in the 83rd minute, his fourth of the season, handed Fluminense all three points against the 10 men of Sport Recife on Saturday.

Brazilian defender Tobi saw red for a second bookable offence three minutes prior to Rosa's goal.

Fluminense now share top spot, although Mineiro have two games in hand, while Recife have lost five consecutive matches and languish two points adrift of safety.

Sao Paulo ended their dreadful run of three successive defeats with a comfortable 3-0 victory at home to Ponte Preta.

The six-time Brazil Serie A champions had lost against Fluminense, Gremio and Nautico in recent weeks but Rogerio Ceni got the club off to the perfect start.

Ceni converted a penalty in the 22nd minute before Paris Saint Germain-bound midfielder Lucas Moura, who won silver with Brazil at the London Olympics, doubled Sao Paulo's tally four minutes later.

The match was put beyond doubt courtesy of an 88th-minute goal from Osvaldo.

In Saturday's other fixture, Nautico claimed their second successive win for the first time this season after edging relegation-threatened Bahia 1-0.

Bahia looked set for a share of the spoils, however Luis Martinez stepped up with two minutes of play remaining to clinch maximum points for Alexandre Gallo's side.