Apodi headed home a later winner as Vitoria emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter with Botafogo 4-3 at Salvador de Bahia to climb up to third in the Campeonato Brasileiro. Vitoria had raced into a two-goal lead by the 20th minute with a brace from Roger, but Juninho and Batista brought Botafogo level. Adriano made it 3-2 before the break, but Victory Simoes equalised in the 75th minute before Apodi headed home the winner with one minute remaining.

"The truth is that it was a very even match. Both teams committed many mistakes," Vitoria's coach Paulo Cesar Carpegiani said. "We have to improve a lot if we want to continue winning."

Vitor now have 13 points, just one behind Internacional and Atletico Mineiro, who will visit Flamengo and Santos respectively today. In fourth place with 12 points are Palmeiras, who rescued a 2-2 draw from their visit to Atletico Paranaense thanks to a goal by Keirrison in the third minute of injury time. Rafael Santos and Marcinho netted for the hosts while Obina scored the first for Vanderlei Luxemburgo's side, who last Wednesday were eliminated from the Copa Libertadores after a goalless draw with Nacional in Montevideo.

"I want to praise the work of this squad. Despite all the criticism we have suffered since the elimination from the Libertadores they showed a good reaction," said Luxemburgo.

We have to improve a lot if we want to continue winning.
Vitoria coach Paulo Cesar Carpegiani

Elsewhere, Santo Andre are fifth after defeating Sport 2-1 at home with Marcel snatching the winner in stoppage time. Hugo had put the visitors ahead before Elvis equalised.

With their thoughts on the upcoming Copa Libertadores semi-final game with Cruzeiro, Gremio fielded a weakened side as they drew 2-2 with Goias at home. Felipe scored twice for the visitors while Tcheco and Argentinian Maximiliano Lopez were on target for Paulo Autori's side.

Meanwhile, Avai recorded their first triumph in the competition with a 3-2 triumph over Fluminense. Muriqui, Marquinhos and Leo Gago netted for the hosts while former Lyon midfielder Fred hit a brace for Fluminense. Finally, Nautico failed to convert a penalty before slumping to Marcos Aurelio's 64th-minute in a 1-0 defeat to Coritiba.