Alessandro’s late goal gave Corinthians a 1-0 win away to Paulista leaders Palmeiras on Sunday, while Botafogo beat Sao Paulo.
Palmeiras, led by Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, remain top of the Paulista championship, but are now just one point clear of second-placed Santos.
Corinthians are eighth on the table and seven points behind Palmeiras, but have two games in hand over the leaders.
Botafogo gained a much-needed 2-1 victory over fifth-placed Sao Paulo.
Goals from Anselmo and Andre Neles put Botafogo on course for victory and Marcelinho Paraiba’s 92nd-minute strike came too late for the visitors to find a way back into the match.
Botafogo are 16th, one point clear of Santo Andre in the last relegation place.
Mirassol climbed to fourth with a 2-1 win away to Bragantino.
Esley put the visitors 1-0 ahead in the 39th minute but Luciano Sorriso levelled for Mirassol a minute before half-time.
The match appeared to heading for a draw before midfielder Xuxa snatched all three points with a 90th-minute winner.
An eight-minute brace from Vandinho helped Sao Caetano beat Paulista 2-1, while two late goals gave Ituano a 2-0 win over visitors Sao Bernardo.
Daniel broke the deadlock for Ituano on 80 minutes, before an Anderson Salles penalty five minutes into stoppage time completed the scoring.
