Rodriguez double lifts Gremio to second

Porto Alegre (Brazil), Nov 18 (IANS) Maxi Rodriguez netted two second half goals to hand Gremio a 2-1 victory over Flamengo in the Campeonato Brasileiro.

The Uruguayan midfielder struck an 87th minute winner at Arena do Gremio, just two minutes after Joao Paulo cancelled out his 60th-minute opener Sunday, reports Xinhua.

Gremio have now risen to second in the standings with three matches remaining while Flamengo have slumped to 12th.

“I’m at ease here, the fans have been really important to me and given me great support. Gremio is a big club and belongs near the top,” Rodriguez said.

Meanwhile, Goias rose to third with a 3-1 victory over Internacional while Fluminense further eased their relegation fears by overcoming Sao Paulo 2-1, their second straight win.