RIO DE JANEIRO, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Midfielder Raphael Veiga converted a late penalty as defending champions Palmeiras extended their lead in Brazil's Serie A standings on Saturday with a 1-0 home victory over Athletico Paranaense.
Veiga netted in the 80th minute at Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo after Marcio Azevedo brought down Dudu with a cynical tackle that earned him a yellow card.
The result left Luiz Felipe Scolari's team four points clear of second-placed Atletico Mineiro, which were due to meet Santos away on Sunday.
In Porto Alegre, Gremio moved out of the relegation zone with a fortunate 1-0 home victory over Fortaleza.
Gabriel Dias de Oliveira gifted the hosts the lead by turning the ball into his own net in the 90th minute. Fortaleza were reduced to 10 men with more than a quarter of an hour remaining when Osvaldo Lourenco was shown a straight red card for a bad foul on veteran full-back Leo Moura.
In other matches on Saturday, Cruzeiro were held to a goalless home draw by Corinthians while Bahia and Ceara also drew 0-0 at the latter's Castelao stadium in Fortaleza.
