Flamengo beat Palmeiras to remain top of Brazil's Serie A

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Inter Milan loanee Gabriel Barbosa continued his prolific scoring run with a goal in each half as Flamengo routed defending champions Palmeiras 3-0 in Brazil's Serie A championship on Sunday.

Barbosa netted in the 11th minute at the Maracana stadium by deftly chipping over goalkeeper Weverton after Giorgian De Arrascaeta's slide rule pass.

Uruguay international playmaker Arrascaeta then struck his eighth goal in 10 league matches by heading in a Bruno Henrique cross before Barbosa made it 3-0 by converting from the penalty spot.

Barbosa has now scored 28 goals in 38 matches for Flamengo since joining the club in January.

The result meant Flamengo remained top of the 20-team standings with 36 points from 17 matches, ahead of second-placed Santos on goal difference. The latter ended a three-match winless run with a 1-0 victory at Chapecoense on Saturday.

Palmeiras have gone five league matches without a win and have slipped to fifth, six points off the pace.