Copete brace lifts Santos to third place in Brazil's Serie A

Colombia international winger Jonathan Copete scored either side of half time to fire Santos to a 2-0 away victory over Vitoria in Brazil's Serie A football championship.

The 29-year-old on Wednesday put the visitors ahead with a long-range shot just after the half-hour mark before lashing in a first-time effort after a Bruno Henrique cross 13 minutes from time, reports Xinhua news agency.

The result at the Barradao stadium catapulted Santos to third place in Brazil's Serie A standings, four points behind leaders Corinthians.

In another match, forward Roger bagged a brace as hosts Botafogo beat local rivals Vasco da Gama 3-1 at the Nilton Santos stadium here.

Botafogo moved to fifth place with 15 points while Vasco dropped to ninth, anchored on 12 points.

In Sao Paulo, defending champions Palmeiras overcame Atletico Goianiense 1-0 at home thanks to a strike from Colombian attacker Miguel Borja.

Palmeiras rose to seventh position with 13 points and Atletico remained 19th with six points.

In other matches on Wednesday, hosts Atletico Paranaense defeated Sao Paulo 1-0 and Fluminense won 3-0 at Avai.

--IANS

gau/bg