RIO DE JANEIRO, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Former Brazil international forward Hulk scored two first-half goals to fire Atletico Mineiro to a 2-0 home victory over Vasco da Gama in Brazil's Serie A championship on Sunday.
Hulk struck in the 27th and 39th minutes at Arena MRV as Atletico rose to 10th in the 20-team standings, two points ahead of 11th-placed Vasco.
"We've had a difficult run with some heavy defeats that hurt us a lot," Hulk told reporters after the match.
"But we've now got key players returning from injury and national team duties, and we're confident that we can turn things around to recuperate the points that we've let slip."
Elsewhere on Sunday, a late goal from Kaua Elias gave Fluminense a 1-0 win at Cuiaba. The result broke a run of 10 league matches without a victory for the Rio de Janeiro club.
In other Brazilian Serie A fixtures on Sunday, Fortaleza won 3-1 at home to Atletico Goianiense, Juventude was held to a goalless home draw by Sao Paulo, Bragantino won 1-0 at home to Athletico Paranaense, Corinthians won 1-0 at Bahia and Gremio recorded a 2-0 home victory over Vitoria. ■
