Pato goal earns Sao Paulo draw at Atletico Mineiro

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Atletico Mineiro v Sao Paulo - Raimundo Sampaio Stadium, Belo Horizonte, Brazil - June 13, 2019 Sao Paulo’s Alexandre Pato reacts after the match REUTERS/Washington Alves

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (Reuters) - Alexandre Pato got his third league goal of the season to earn Sao Paulo a 1-1 draw at Atletico Mineiro on Thursday in Brazil.

Alerrandro opened the scoring for Atletico two minutes before the break with a goal that was validated after consultation with the Video Assistant Referee.

Former AC Milan striker Pato fired home the equaliser 27 minutes into the second half.

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Atletico Mineiro v Sao Paulo - Raimundo Sampaio Stadium, Belo Horizonte, Brazil - June 13, 2019 Sao Paulo’s Alexandre Pato celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates REUTERS/Washington Alves

Atletico are fifth on 16 points after nine games while Sao Paulo sit ninth on 14.

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Atletico Mineiro v Sao Paulo - Raimundo Sampaio Stadium, Belo Horizonte, Brazil - June 13, 2019 Teams line up during the national anthem before the match REUTERS/Washington Alves

(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Peter Rutherford)