Brazil Serie A wrap: Coritiba climb, Palmeiras salvage draw

Promoted club Coritiba made it back-to-back wins with a 3-0 drubbing of visiting Figueirense in Brazil’s Serie A on Friday.

The reigning Serie B champions started poorly at the Couto Pereira but improved as the second half wore on, running out convincing winners as Emerson, Leo Gago and Anderson Aquino all netted late goals.

Emerson was the first to strike, rising highest to nod Eltinho’s cross beyond Figueirense goalkeeper Wilson in the 75th minute.

Former Vasco da Gama midfielder Leo Gaga then found the net in the first minute of added time for his second goal in as many games.

One minute later, Aquino improved his tally to four for the season with another goal past Wilson.

The win lifts Coritiba from 15th to 11th on the Serie A table with 10 points from eight matches. Figueirense are three points ahead in seventh.

Elsewhere, Palmeiras came from a goal down to share the points in a 1-1 draw at America Mineiro.

Mineiro attacker Alessandro netted his fifth goal of the campaign in the 65th minute, raising hopes of a win to take the club out of the relegation zone.

But Palmeiras defender Mauricio Ramos struck back 10 minutes later to snatch a point for the visitors, who remain fifth on the table with 15 points.

Mineiro improve to eight points but are still stranded in 18th as their winless run stretches to seven games.

Sixth-placed Botafogo could do no more than draw 1-1 with visiting Atletico Goianiense, who rise to 15th.

Argentine forward German Herrera put the hosts up in the fifth minute with his third goal of the campaign, but Goianiense counterpart Anselmo equalised 10 minutes later.