Flamengo beat Santos to close gap at top

Flamengo closed the gap on leaders Palmeiras with a 3-2 home win over Santos in Brazil's Serie A on Sunday.

Leo Pereira put the hosts ahead with a low finish following a corner and Jorge Carrascal equalized by firing into the bottom right corner after Giorgian de Arrascaeta's through ball.

Bruno Henrique made it 3-0 when he intercepted an errant defensive pass and rounded goalkeeper Gabriel Brazao before slotting the ball into an empty net.

Gabriel Bontempo and Lautaro Diaz gave Santos a glimmer of hope with late goals from close range but Flamengo survived to clinch its 20th win of the campaign.

The Rio de Janeiro side remains second, level on points with Palmeiras, while Santos is 17th in the 20-team standings.

Elsewhere in Brazil's top flight on Sunday, Botafogo drew 0-0 at Vitoria, Cruzeiro was held to a goalless home draw by Fluminense, Ceara won 1-0 at Corinthians, Gremio drew 2-2 at Fortaleza and Mirassol clinched a 2-1 home win over Palmeiras.