Atletico Mineiro maintained their two-point advantage over Vasco da Gama at the Brazilian Campeonato summit on Wednesday evening, with both teams securing wins.
Atletico saw off Internacional 3-1, the visitors not helped by the 38th-minute dismissal of Andres D'Alessandro.
Guilherme put the leaders ahead on the stroke of half-time and Leonardo Silva doubled their advantage just before the hour mark. Fred swiftly halved the deficit to give Inter hope, but that was banished at the death with substitute Damian Escudero grabbed Atletico's third.
Vasco remained hot on their heels thanks to a 1-0 win at Sao Paulo, Fagner netting the only goal four minutes into the second half. The hosts had Rodrigo Caio sent off in the 58th minute and were unable to find a way back into the game.
Gremio climbed to fourth, still seven points off the leaders, by coming from behind to win 3-1 at home to Sport Recife. Felipe Azevedo's 39th-minute goal had given the visitors an interval lead, but second-half strikes from Fernando, substitute Leandro and Kleber turned the match on its head.
Fifth-placed Botafogo were held to a goalless draw at Santos.
Cruzeiro climbed to sixth win a 2-0 win at 10-man Portuguesa, Wellington Paulista (penalty) and Diego Renan the men on target following Rogerio's 77th-minute red card.
Copa Libertadores winners Corinthians clinched only their third Campeonato win in 10 games with an emphatic 3-0 success at Flamengo. Douglas' first-half brace put the visitors in control before Danilo's 55th-minute strike sealed matters.
Finally, mid-table Nautico Recife moved within two points of Ponte Preta by beating them 3-0. Joao Paulo started and finished the scoring, with Souza on target in between.
