Chapecoense beat Cruzeiro to stay top of Brazil's Serie A

Tragedy-stricken Chapecoense maintained top spot in Brazil's Serie A football championship on Sunday with a 2-0 away victory over Cruzeiro at the Mineirao stadium here.

Barely six months after most of their players and coaching staff died in a plane crash, Chapecoense lead Brazil's top division with 10 points from four matches, ahead of Corinthians on goal difference, reports Xinhua news agency.

Wellington Paulista and Douglas Grolli scored either side of halftime as Chapecoense secured their third win in four games.

In Porto Alegre, Lucas Barrios and Luan were on the scoresheet as Gremio overcame Vasco da Gama 2-0, to move to third in the 20-team standings.

In other matches on Sunday, Avai beat Sport Recife 1-0, Flamengo drew 0-0 with Botafogo, Ponte Preta defeated Sao Paulo 1-0 and Palmeiras drew 0-0 with Atletico Mineiro.

--IANS

pur/vt