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Sports

Published: Monday July 20, 2009 MYT 7:49:00 AM
Updated: Monday July 20, 2009 MYT 7:50:13 AM

Ronaldo scores as Corinthians beats Cruzeiro 2-1

SAO PAULO (AP) - Ronaldo scored his sixth goal in four matches to help Corinthians beat 10-man Cruzeiro 2-1 and move near the top of the standings in the Brazilian league on Sunday.

Atletico Mineiro remained top after a 0-0 draw against Vitoria, while defending champion Sao Paulo picked up its first win in three matches by beating Santos 2-1.

Argentine striker Maxi Lopez scored the winner in Gremio's 2-1 win over Internacional.

Ronaldo, who began his career with Cruzeiro, also set up Corinthians' first goal and missed a penalty at Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte.

His perfect pass in the 22nd minute over the defense allowed Jorge Henrique to move past goalkeeper Fabio and easily find the open net.

Ronaldo had a chance to score five minutes later, but defender Leonardo Silva used his hands to stop the veteran striker's close-range shot to bring a penalty and Silva's dismissal. Ronaldo's shot from the spot was weak, and Fabio made a save diving to his left.

With a man advantage, Corinthians took control of the match and Ronaldo finally scored in the 77th, completing a cross from midfielder Jucilei on a breakaway move.

Ronaldo, thriving in his comeback after the third serious knee injury of his career, had scored twice in Corinthians' 4-3 win over Sport last Thursday and had a hat trick in a 4-2 victory over Fluminense two weeks ago.

The 32-year-old striker was honored by Cruzeiro before Sunday's match, being inducted into Mineirao stadium's Hall of Fame.

Cruzeiro, trying to rebound from its home loss to Estudiantes in the Copa Libertadores final on Wednesday, had a goal disallowed in the 44th after the referee called a foul from a striker following a ball crossed into the area.

Corinthians moved to fifth in the 20-team standings with 20 points, five less than leader Atletico Mineiro. Cruzeiro is only 16th with 10 points, but it has a game in hand.

Atletico retained its lead with a scoreless draw against fourth-place Vitoria in Salvador. Atletico goalkeeper Aranha made key saves to stop Vitoria clinching its fifth straight home victory.

Defending champion Sao Paulo snapped a three-match winless streak by beating Santos 2-1 thanks to a pair of goals from striker Washington, who hadn't scored in eight matches.

He found the net at Morumbi stadium in the 44th and 51st minutes, while Santos' goal came from forward Roni in first-half injury time.

It was Santos' last match before coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo takes over the club for the fourth time in his career on Monday.

Santos and Sao Paulo - which won the last three Brazilian leagues _ are in the middle of the standings with 14 points each.

Gremio moved to sixth place with a come-from-behind victory over Internacional, the team's first win in seven matches against Internacional.

Nilmar opened the scoring for Internacional in the 24th, but Souza equalized with a free kick in the 35th and Lopez sealed Gremio's win at Olimpico stadium in Porto Alegre with a header off a corner in the 70th.

On Saturday, Palmeiras reached second place with a narrow 1-0 win of Santo Andre at Palestra Italia stadium in Sao Paulo. Palmeiras has the same 25 points of Atletico Mineiro, but trails on goal difference.

Midfielder Diego Souza scored the winner with a shot from near the penalty spot in the 23rd. It was the fourth consecutive win for the four-time national champion, which kept alive a 12-match unbeaten streak.

Fluminense, which recently fired former Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, continued to struggle, losing 4-1 to Goias at Maracana stadium. It was the team's fourth consecutive loss and it hasn't won in seven matches.

The result dropped the 1984 Brazilian champion to next-to-last in the standings.

The bottom four clubs will be relegated at the end of the season.

In the second division, Bragantino striker Magrao was forced to spend the night at hospital after being hit in the head in a ball dispute during his team's 1-1 draw against Ponte Preta in Braganca Paulista.

Magrao temporarily lost his memory and forgot the names of his teammates and that he had scored his team's goal. Doctors said he was in good condition on Sunday.-AP

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