Sao Paulo, Brazil (SportsNetwork.com) - Alexandre Pato netted a pair of first- half goals on Sunday, helping Sao Paulo claim a 3-1 victory over Vitoria at the Estadio do Morumbi.
The home side wasted little time taking the game by the scruff of the neck as Pato opened the scoring after just 17 minutes. Sao Paulo then doubled the advantage in the 31st minute through Alan Kardec.
Seven minutes later it was a comfortable 3-0 margin for the hosts when Pato completed his double.
Vitoria pulled back some momentum when Kadu scored in first-half stoppage time, but the visiting side couldn't capitalize on the momentum swing in the second half and Sao Paulo held on to claim the three points.
The result sees Sao Paulo climb to fifth place in Brazil's top flight with 23 points from 14 matches, while Vitoria remains in 14th place with 14 points.
Also in Brazil on Sunday, Cleo and Douglas Coutinho scored to lift Atletico PR to a 2-0 win over Botafogo, while Eduardo netted the only goal of the contest in the 85th minute to hand Flamengo a 1-0 win against Sport Recife.
Chile international Charles Aranguiz and Claudio Winck netted goals to help Internacional claim a 2-0 result over Gremio, while Corinthians came away with a 1-0 victory against 10-man Santos.
Diego Tardelli and Jesus Datolo netted goals to hand Atletico Mineiro a 2-1 win against Palmeiras, while Figueirense moved off the bottom of the table with a 1-0 win over Chapecoense courtesy of an 87th-minute goal from Marquinhos.
On Saturday, Leandro Fahel scored just past the half-hour mark to lift Bahia to a 1-0 win over Goias, while Elivelton and Germano traded goals as Fluminense and Coritiba played to a 1-1 draw.
Finally on Saturday, league leaders Cruzeiro claimed a point away from home after playing to a scoreless draw with Criciuma.
