RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Paulinho Sampaio struck late as Atletico Mineiro secured a 1-0 home victory over leaders Botafogo in Brazil's Serie A championship on Saturday.
The 23-year-old broke the deadlock in the 81st minute when he dribbled into the box before his shot from an acute angle rebounded in off the near post.
The result leaves Atletico Mineiro ninth in the 20-team standings with 34 points from 23 games.
Meanwhile, Botafogo's lead over second-placed Palmeiras has been reduced to seven points, having enjoyed a 13-point buffer in mid-August.
In the only other Brazilian Serie A fixture on Saturday, Vasco da Gama eased to a 4-2 home win over Rio de Janeiro rivals Fluminense. ■
