RIO DE JANEIRO, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Brazil under-20 midfielder Vinicius Zanocelo struck two second-half goals as Santos rose to the top of the Brazilian Serie A standings on Sunday with a 3-0 home win over America Mineiro.
Marcos Leonardo opened the scoring with a header on the half-hour mark and Zanocelo doubled the lead with a close-range effort just after halftime. The 21-year-old made it 3-0 with a tap-in following Maicon's header 12 minutes from time.
The result leaves Santos with seven points from their first three matches, ahead of second-placed Atletico Mineiro on goal difference. America Mineiro are 13th, four points off the pace.
Meanwhile, Leandro Barcia scored a stoppage-time own goal to hand Botafogo a 1-1 draw at Atletico Goianiense. Marlon Freitas had given the hosts the lead with a low strike just after halftime before Barcia turned the ball into his own net in the 96th minute.
In Sunday's only other Brazilian Serie A fixture, a late penalty from Elton Brandao fired Cuiaba to a 1-0 victory at Juventude. ■
