Gremio misses chance to go top

Goals from Ralf and Guilherme Torres put the host two goals to the good within 11 minutes and, although substitute Leandro halved the deficit with virtually his first touch just before the hour, Corinthians substitute Giovanni put the result beyond doubt with a third goal in the 90th minute.

Elsewhere, a late strike by Marcinho earned Ponte Preta a 2-2 home draw against Figueirense.

Aloisio and Caio had looked to have set the second-bottom visitor on course for its fifth win of the season when their first-half goals overturned Giancarlo's early opener, but Marcinho had the final say 11 minutes from time.

Finally, Lincoln, Rafinha and Everton Ribeiro were on target as Coritiba posted a convincing 3-0 triumph at home to Flamengo. The result lifted the victor to 15th place in the standings.