Joao Victor scored a second-half winner as Vasco da Gama kept alive their hopes of qualifying for next year's Copa Libertadores with a 1-0 victory at Vitoria in Brazil's Serie A championship on Sunday.

The visitors went ahead in the 72nd minute when Victor rose high after Dimitri Payet's corner to head home at the far post.

Despite having 21 shots on goal, the hosts were unable to find a way past Vasco's defense, suffering their 15th loss of the campaign and dropping to 18th in the 20-team standings.

Vasco, meanwhile, climbed to eighth and are now within seven points of a guaranteed place in the pre-Copa Libertadores.

Elsewhere in Brazil's Serie A on Sunday, defending champions Palmeiras stepped up their bid for back-to-back titles with a 2-0 win at Athletico Paranaense.

Mauricio Prado put the visitors ahead in the opening minutes before teenager Estevao Willian continued his prolific scoring form with a second-half strike.

Palmeiras are now third with 47 points from 25 games, three points behind leaders Botafogo.

In other fixtures, Atletico Mineiro won 3-2 at Gremio, Cruzeiro prevailed 3-1 at home to Atletico Goianiense, Corinthians won 2-1 at home to Flamengo, Bragantino secured a 2-1 home victory over Bahia, hosts Fluminense beat Sao Paulo 2-0 and Internacional won 3-1 at Juventude. 

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