BELO HORIZONTE, Sept. 21 -- Gabriel Barbosa and Giorgian de Arrascaeta continued their prolific scoring form as leaders Flamengo beat Cruzeiro 2-1 in Brazil's Serie A championship on Saturday.
Barbosa gave the visitors the lead by heading in his 31st goal of the season after Gerson's cross in the seventh minute.
Thiago Neves converted from the penalty spot for the hosts just before halftime but Arrascaeta then struck his 13th goal of 2019 by rifling in a first-time finish after Barbosa expertly let a Willian Arao cross pass through his legs.
The result at the Mineirao stadium consolidated Flamengo's lead in the 20-team standings, with the Rio giants having accumulated 45 points from 20 matches.
They have now won seven consecutive league matches since a 3-0 loss at Bahia on August 4.
In other fixtures on Saturday, Sao Paulo won 2-1 at Botafogo and Corinthians secured a 2-1 home victory over Bahia.