RIO DE JANEIRO, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Forward Francisco Soares scored either side of halftime as Botafogo rose to the top of Brazil's Serie A standings on Sunday with a 3-2 away victory over Flamengo.
Soares opened the scoring for the visitors with a 28th-minute penalty after Victor Sa was brought down by Wesley Franca.
Danilo Silva doubled the lead by heading home following Carlos Eduardo's corner on the stroke of halftime.
Flamengo reduced the deficit just before the hour through Leo Pereira, who slotted a left-footed shot into the bottom corner after combining with Fabricio Bruno.
Soares made it 3-1 when Soares latched onto Danilo Pinheiro's pass before finishing coolly from 12 yards in the 71st minute.
Pereira gave the hosts a glimmer of hope with an 86th-minute header into the bottom left corner but Botafogo defended solidly thereafter to secure their third win from as many matches.
The result at the Maracana stadium leaves Botafogo with nine points so far, six points ahead of 13th-placed Flamengo.
In other Brazilian Serie A fixtures on Sunday, Gremio won 2-1 at Cuiaba and Internacional prevailed 1-0 at home to Goias. ■
