RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Striker Pedro scored one goal and set up another as Flamengo secured a 3-0 away win over Botafogo in Brazil's Serie A on Wednesday.
Flamengo opened the scoring in the 40th minute when Pedro ran onto Giorgian de Arrascaeta's pass and finished clinically into the far corner.
Winger Luiz Araujo made it 2-0 by slotting home from the edge of the six-yard box after Pedro's layoff.
Gonzalo Plata put the result beyond doubt as he latched onto Jorge Carrascal's cross with a glancing header that left goalkeeper Leo Linck with no chance.
Flamengo manager Filipe Luis singled out Pedro for praise after the match, stressing the importance of the former Fiorentina striker to his side's title hopes.
"Pedro helped us in every stage of the match," Filipe Luis told reporters. "He's been training well, he is in great shape and his performance on the pitch tonight speaks for itself. This is the Pedro that we all want to see and the Pedro that we need."
Flamengo remains second in the standings with 58 points, three behind Palmeiras, while reigning champions Botafogo drops to fifth, 15 points further back.
In other Brazilian top-flight matches on Wednesday, Cruzeiro drew 1-1 at Atletico Mineiro, Vasco da Gama won 2-0 at Fortaleza, Santos prevailed 3-1 at home to Corinthians, Sport Recife was held to a 1-1 home draw by Ceara, and Mirassol clinched a 3-1 home win over Internacional. ■
