Tunis:Palmeiras took the provisional lead in Brazil's Serie A on Saturday by defeating Athletico Paranaense 2-0. The team scored two goals in the first half, with attacking midfielder Mauricio opening the scoring from a tight angle. Joaquin Piquerez doubled the lead shortly after by curling a free kick around the Paranaense wall.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the visitors played with ten men after Andreas Pereira received a second yellow card for a bad challenge just before halftime. Despite controlling nearly two-thirds of the possession and creating several scoring opportunities, Athletico Paranaense could not find a way past Palmeiras' goalkeeper Carlos Miguel.

With this victory, Palmeiras now leads the standings with 66 points from 31 games, sitting two points clear of second-placed Flamengo, which has a game in hand. Athletico Paranaense remains in third place, trailing by 11 points.

In other matches in Brazil's top flight on Saturday, Botafogo secured a 1-0 victory at home against Chapecoense, Atletico Mineiro won 1-0 at Coritiba, and Sao Paulo achieved a narrow 1-0 home win over Vasco da Gama.