RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Playmaker Nikao scored one goal and set up another as Cruzeiro ended an eight-game losing run with a 3-0 away victory over Santos in Brazil's Serie A championship on Thursday.
Matheus Jussa put the visitors ahead by heading home after Lucas Silva's corner and Bruno Rodrigues doubled the advantage with a cool finish after Nikao's through ball on the counterattack.
Nikao then put the result beyond doubt when he combined with Marlon before thumping a shot into the top-right corner.
The result marked Cruzeiro's first victory since July 8 and keeps alive their hopes of a top-seven finish that would guarantee them a place in next year's Copa Libertadores.
Santos are 17th in the 20-team standings with just five wins from 23 games.
In other Brazilian Serie A fixtures on Thursday, Bragantino won 2-0 at home Gremio, Bahia prevailed 4-2 at Coritiba and Fortaleza won 2-1 at home to Corinthians. ■
