Rio de Janeiro Nov 17 (IANS) Palmeiras secured a place in next year s Copa Libertadores by thrashing Sport Recife 5-1 in Brazil s Serie A championship.
Deyverson on Thursday scored twice while Luan Garcia Dudu and Keno were also on target as the hosts climbed to third in the 20-team standings with 60 points from 35 matches reports Xinhua news agency.
Diego Souza struck a late consolation goal for Sport who sunk deeper into the relegation zone and are now four points shy of safety with three matches remaining.
Flamengo s hopes of clinching a Libertadores berth were dented by a 0-1 loss at Coritiba though the impact of the result was diminished by Botafogo s 1-2 home defeat to Atletico Goianiense.
Vasco da Gama who are also vying for a Libertadores berth in an intriguing tussle between three of Rio s four biggest clubs missed a chance to leapfrog their local rivals on Wednesday when they drew 1-1 at home to Atletico Mineiro.
Botafogo remain sixth -- the last Copa Libertadores place -- one point ahead of seventh-placed Flamengo who are only above Vasco due to a superior goal difference.
In other matches on Thursday Chapecoense beat Vitoria 2-1 and Bahia overcame Santos 3-1.
--IANS
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