Flamengo beat Fluminense to open up 10-point lead

RIO DE JANEIRO: Flamengo scored in each half to beat local rivals Fluminense 2-0 at the Maracana stadium on Sunday and extend their lead in Brazil’s Serie A championship to 10 points.

Bruno Henrique put the hosts ahead with a fourth-minute header after Rodinei’s cross from the right and Gerson made it 2-0 just after the hour mark with a low drive after being set up by teenager Reinier. Flamengo, aiming for their first top-flight title since 2009, are now unbeaten in their past 17 matches across all competitions and are 10 points clear of second-placed Palmeiras in the 20-team Serie A standings.

Fluminense are 15th in the league standings, just three points above the relegation places with eight wins, five draws and 14 losses. Meanwhile, Athletico Parananese dented Palmeiras’ hopes of back-to-back championships with a 1-1 draw at Arena da Baixada in Curitiba.

Third-placed Santos also saw their slim title hopes fade with a 2-0 loss at Atletico Mineiro.

In other Serie A matches on Sunday, Goias drew 2-2 at Chapecoense, Vasco da Gama won 1-0 at Internacional and Sao Paulo prevailed 1-0 at home to Avai.