Champions Palmeiras start Serie A season with 4-0 win

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Palmeiras v Fortaleza - Allianz Parque, Sao Paulo, Brazil - April 28, 2019 Palmeiras’ Marcos Rocha scores their second goal REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazilian champions Palmeiras got the defence of their title off to a fine start on Sunday with two goals and an assist from Ze Rafael helping the Sao Paulo side to a 4-0 win over newly promoted Fortaleza.

Midfielder Ze Rafael started the game on the bench but was introduced after just six minutes to replace the injured Ricardo Goulart.

He put the home side 1-0 up after a quarter of an hour and then laid the ball on for Marcos Rocha to double their lead approaching the hour mark.

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Palmeiras v Fortaleza - Allianz Parque, Sao Paulo, Brazil - April 28, 2019 Palmeiras’ Felipe Melo in action with Fortaleza’s Junior Santos REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

The 25-year old capped his performance by grabbing the third goal with 70 minutes gone before Bruno Henrique completed the scoring in the final minute.

On a high scoring day of action in the Serie A, Bahia beat Corinthians 3-2, Athletico Paranaense overcame Vasco da Gama 4-1 and Ceara joined Palmeiras at the top of the table with a 4-0 victory over newly promoted CSA.

Two of the early favourites for the Serie A title, clashed in Porto Alegre, with visitors Santos beating hosts Gremio 2-1.

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Palmeiras v Fortaleza - Allianz Parque, Sao Paulo, Brazil - April 28, 2019 Palmeiras’ Ze Rafael celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Palmeiras v Fortaleza - Allianz Parque, Sao Paulo, Brazil - April 28, 2019 Palmeiras’ Felipe Melo in action REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Palmeiras v Fortaleza - Allianz Parque, Sao Paulo, Brazil - April 28, 2019 Fortaleza’s Carlinhos is shown a yellow card by referee Braulio Machado REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Palmeiras v Fortaleza - Allianz Parque, Sao Paulo, Brazil - April 28, 2019 Palmeiras’ Bruno Henrique celebrates scoring their fourth goal with team mates REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Palmeiras v Fortaleza - Allianz Parque, Sao Paulo, Brazil - April 28, 2019 Palmeiras’ Marcos Rocha celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli