SAO PAULO, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- A first-half goal from former AC Milan striker Luiz Adriano fired Palmeiras to a 1-0 home win over Bragantino in Brazil's Serie A on Sunday and kept alive the Sao Paulo side's hopes of a top-four finish.
Adriano met a curling Gabriel Menino free-kick with a downward header that slipped through the grasp of goalkeeper Cleiton Schwengber just before the half-hour mark.
The result at Allianz Parque lifted Palmeiras to fifth in the 20-team standings with 12 wins, eight draws and six losses, 12 points behind first-placed Sao Paulo.
Earlier on Sunday, Internacional remained in touch with the leaders following a 2-1 win at Bahia.
Rodrigo Dourado and Thiago Galhardo struck either side of halftime before Juan Ramirez pulled a late goal back for the hosts.
Internacional remained fourth with 47 points while Bahia dropped to 16th place with 28 points.
In other matches on Sunday, Ceara drew 1-1 at Santos, Athletico Paranaense routed Vasco da Gama 3-0 and Corinthians won 2-0 at Botafogo. Enditem
