BELO HORIZONTE (Reuters) - A strike from in-form striker Gabriel Barbosa helped Flamengo extended their lead at the top of Brazil’s Serie A on Saturday with a 2-1 win at Cruzeiro.
Barbosa, who was recalled to the Brazil squad on Friday after a three-year absence, headed his 17th league goal of the season to put Flamengo 1-0 up after just seven minutes.
Although Thiago Neves levelled the scores for the home side from the penalty spot shortly before halftime, Uruguayan midfielder Giorgian De Arrascaeta secured Flamengo all three points when he fired home a cut back that was beautifully dummied by Barbosa.
The win extended Flamengo’s unbeaten run to nine games and means they go six points clear at the top of the league, ahead of second-placed Palmeiras, who play Fortaleza on Sunday.
(Reporting by Andrew Downie, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
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