Juninho guides Vasco to 3-2 win

Juninho struck a first-half goal and set up another as Vasco da Gama defeated Criciuma 3-2 in the Campeonato Brasileiro.

The former Brazil international midfielder opened the scoring at the Sao Januario stadium Saturday with a trademark 30 metre free-kick before Rafael Vaz also netted from a set piece to make it 2-0, reports Xinhua.

Criciuma rallied in the second half to level the scores via an Ivo free-kick and Wellington Paulista's bicycle goal.

Second-half substitute Edmilson guaranteed Vasco's second consecutive victory with a 74th minute header after another Juninho set piece.

The 38-year-old has now scored twice in as many games since rejoining the club from the New York Red Bulls earlier this month.

"I went 13 games without scoring in the US and I forgot how it felt," an elated Juninho said after the match.

The result lifts Vasco to sixth in Brazil's Serie A standings while Criciuma have dropped to 13th.

In other games Saturday, Atletico Paranaense beat 10-man Portuguesa 3-2 and Ponte Preta defeated Santos away 1-0.