Flamengo win to close gap with Santos at top of Serie A

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Flamengo v Gremio - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - August 10, 2019 Flamengo's Everton Ribeiro celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - A dominant second half performance from Flamengo gave them a 3-1 win over Gremio on Saturday to help the third-place side close the gap at the top of Brazil's Serie A.

Willian Arao gave Flamengo the lead 29 minutes into the match but Rafael Galhardo equalised for Gremio from the penalty spot seconds before half time.

However, a poacher’s goal from Giorgan de Arrascaeta five minutes into the second half was followed by a low drive from Everton Ribeiro in stoppage time as Flamengo deservedly secured all three points.

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Flamengo v Gremio - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - August 10, 2019 Flamengo's Bruno Henrique shoots at goal REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

The win in front of 54,000 fans at the Maracana stadium keeps Flamengo in third spot but narrowed the gap between them and leaders Santos, who lost 3-2 against Sao Paulo earlier on Saturday, to five points.

Gremio's disappointing form means they sit in 13-place in the 20-team table.

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Flamengo v Gremio - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - August 10, 2019 Flamengo's Willian Arao celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

(Reporting by Andrew Downie, editing by Nick Mulvenney)

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Flamengo v Gremio - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - August 10, 2019 Gremio's Rafael Galhardo celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Flamengo v Gremio - Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - August 10, 2019 Flamengo's Filipe Luis celebrates their second goal with Bruno Henrique and Gustavo Cuellar REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino