Palmeiras beat Gremio

Rio de Janeiro, July 2: Defending champions Palmeiras rose to the third spot in Brazil’s Serie A standings with a 1-0 win over Gremio.

The hosts had to thank Gremio midfielder Machado after the 21-year-old turned the ball into his own net at the Pacaembu stadium on Saturday, reports Xinhua news agency.

The result left Palmeiras with 19 points while Gremio missed the chance to rrow the gap on leaders Corinthians, remaining second with 22 points.

In the other match, a second-half strike from Thiago Maia earned Santos a 1-1 away draw with 10-man Atletico Goianiense.

Andrigo put the hosts ahead in the 12th minute but they lost Joriginho when the midfielder received a second yellow card for a bad foul early in the second half. IANS