Rio de Janeiro, Nov 17: Palmeiras secured a place in next year’s Copa Libertadores by thrashing Sport Recife 5-1 in Brazil’s Serie A championship.
Deyverson on Thursday scored twice while Luan Garcia, Dudu and Keno were also on target as the hosts climbed to third in the 20-team standings with 60 points from 35 matches, reports Xinhua news agency.
Diego Souza struck a late consolation goal for Sport, who sunk deeper into the relegation zone and are now four points shy of safety with three matches remaining.
Flamengo’s hopes of clinching a Libertadores berth were dented by a 0-1 loss at Coritiba, though the impact of the result was diminished by Botafogo’s 1-2 home defeat to Atletico Goianiense.
Vasco da Gama, who are also vying for a Libertadores berth in an intriguing tussle between three of Rio’s four biggest clubs, missed a chance to leapfrog their local rivals on Wednesday when they drew 1-1 at home to Atletico Mineiro.
Botafogo remain sixth — the last Copa Libertadores place — one point ahead of seventh-placed Flamengo, who are only above Vasco due to a superior goal difference.
In other matches on Thursday, Chapecoense beat Vitoria 2-1 and Bahia overcame Santos 3-1. IANS
