A second-half goal from former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Nene fired Vasco da Gama to a 1-0 victory over their Rio de Janeiro rivals Botafogo in Brazil's Serie A championship on Saturday.

The 36-year-old broke the deadlock in the 69th minute with a long rang-shot into the bottom right corner after a mazy run.

"We didn't play well in the first half but after halftime we showed greater intensity and attitude. Thankfully I was able to score and we we got an important victory," Nene said after the match.

The result at the Maracana stadium lifted Vasco to eighth in the 20-team standings while Botafogo remained sixth with 10 matches remaining.

The top six teams in the standings at the end of the season will secure a berth in next year's Copa Libertadores, South America's top club competition.

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