RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Luis Suarez scored a second-half hat-trick as Gremio kept alive their Brazilian Serie A title hopes with a 4-3 away victory over leaders Botafogo on Thursday.

Former Spain international striker Diego Costa opened the scoring for the hosts by controlling Hugo Ferreira's cross with his chest before firing a shot between the legs of goalkeeper Gabriel Grando.

Everton Galdinho equalized as he ran onto Felipe Carballo's perfectly weighted through ball and slotting a first-time effort into the far corner.

Botafogo regained the lead when Costa's shot was parried clear by Grando and Juniors Santos pounced to fire in the rebound.

Marlon Freitas made it 3-1 early in the second half when he latched onto Leonel Di Placido's cross with a sublime first-time strike that beat Grando at his far post.

But the momentum swung shortly after as Suarez danced around his marker and left goalkeeper Lucas Perri on his backside as he slotted home from the edge of the six-yard box.

The former Liverpool and Barcelona striker was in unstoppable form and he put his side on level terms when he combined with Aldemir Ferreira before chipping a shot over the onrushing Perri.

Suarez completed a remarkable turnaround when he played a slick one-two with Mathias Villasanti before driving into the box and slotting a cool finish into the bottom left corner.

The result at Rio Janeiro's Olympic stadium leaves Gremio second in the 20-team standings with 59 points, behind Botafogo on goal difference.

In other Brazilian Serie A fixtures on Thursday, Santos won 1-0 at Goias, Corinthians were held to a 1-1 home draw by Atletico Mineiro and Cuiaba prevailed 3-0 at Bahia. Enditem

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