RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Breno Lopes scored late as Palmeiras kept their Brazilian Serie A title hopes alive with a 1-0 home win over Goias on Friday.
Palmeiras controlled more than two-thirds of possession and had 18 shots on goal but struggled to break through the visitors' miserly defense.
Goias suffered a major blow in the 75th minute when midfielder Raphael Guzzo was shown a second yellow card in as many minutes for a bad foul on Raphael Veiga.
The dismissal had an immediate impact and Lopes capitalized on some shambolic Goias defending to prod home from 12 yards.
The result leaves second-placed Palmeiras with 44 points from 23 games, seven points behind leaders Botafogo, who have a game in hand. Goias are 16th in the 20-team standings, 19 points further back.
In Friday's only other Brazilian Serie A clash, Cuiaba were held to a 2-2 home draw by America Mineiro. ■
