Lopez nets brace as Palmeiras eye Brazilian top flight title

Rio de Janeiro: Argentine striker Jose Lopez scored two late goals as Palmeiras edged closer to their second consecutive Brazilian Serie A title with a 4-0 home win over America Mineiro on Wednesday.

Teenager Endrick opened the scoring in the second minute before Eder Graminho gifted the hosts a second goal by inadvertently turning the ball into his own net, reports Xinhua.

Lopez, an 81st-minute substitute for Endrick, made it 3-0 as he tapped home from close range following a Joaquin Piquerez cross.

The 22-year-old Lopez added another goal in stoppage time when he nodded in after Jailson Siqueira’s headed pass.

The result leaves Palmeiras with 66 points, three points ahead of second-placed Botafogo with two matchdays remaining. America Mineiro are last in the 20-team standings with 21 points.

In other Brazilian Serie A fixtures on Wednesday, Fluminense won 3-0 at Santos, Botafogo drew 1-1 at Coritiba, Internacional secured a 2-0 away win over Cuiaba, Sao Paulo prevailed 1-0 Bahia and Atletico Mineiro won 3-0 at Flamengo.

–IANS

Comments are closed.