PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil, Nov. 17 -- Gabriel Barbosa scored the winner and was sent off as Flamengo moved to within one victory of the Brazilian Serie A title with a 1-0 win at Gremio on Sunday.
Barbosa struck his 22nd league goal of the season from the penalty spot but was dismissed in the 74th minute when a verbal row with referee Raphael Claus earned him a second yellow card.
The Rio de Janeiro outfit were unbeaten in their past 25 matches as they bid for their first Serie A title since 2009.
Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus rested most of his first-choice players for the match at Gremio Arena with an eye on next Saturday's Copa Libertadores final against River Plate in Lima.
Flamengo need only two points from their remaining four matches to clinch the title after second-placed Palmeiras drew 1-1 with Bahia earlier in the day.
In other matches on Sunday, Fortaleza won 3-0 at home to CSA, Internacional held Corinthians to a goalless draw in Sao Paulo and Athletico Paranaense won 1-0 at home to Botafogo.