SAO PAULO, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Emiliano Rigoni and Luciano Neves scored either side of halftime as Sao Paulo secured a 2-1 home victory over Atletico Goianiense in Brazil's Serie A championship on Sunday.
Rigoni headed home in the 36th minute after Rodrigo Nestor's cross and Neves made it 2-0 with a close-range finish just before the hour mark.
Matheus Barbosa gave the visitors a glimmer of hope with a 71st-minute strike but the hosts defended stoutly in the closing stages to clinch their sixth win of the campaign.
"We had a strong desire to win but the most pleasing aspect of the game was the way we played," Sao Paulo manager Hernan Crespo told reporters after the match.
"It was a pleasure to see the way the team passed the ball and create opportunities. That gives me confidence," the former Chelsea and Inter Milan striker added.
The result leaves Sao Paulo 12th in Brazil's 20-team top flight standings with 25 points from 20 matches, one point behind Goianiense.
Earlier on Sunday, Corinthians were held to a 1-1 home draw by America Mineiro and Internacional won 1-0 at home to Fortaleza. Enditem
