CURITIBA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- A sublime first-half goal from Alex Santana gave Athletico Paranaense a 1-0 home victory over leaders Botafogo in Brazil's Serie A championship on Saturday.
Playing against his former club, Santana put the hosts ahead on the stroke of halftime by rifling a 35-yard drive into the top-left corner.
The result lifts Paranaense to fourth in the 20-team standings with 15 points from nine outings, six points behind Botafogo.
Meanwhile, former Brazil international forward Hulk scored in the 27th minute as Atletico Mineiro climbed to second with a 1-0 away win over Belo Horizonte rivals Cruzeiro.
Elsewhere, America Mineiro won 2-0 at home to Corinthians and Fortaleza were held to a goalless home draw by Bahia.
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