Rio de Janeiro, July 13 (IANS): A first-half goal from striker Rogerio gave Botafogo a 1-0 victory over rivals Fluminense in Brazil's Serie A football championship.

The 32-year-old netted with a 39th-minute header after Joao Paulo's lofted pass into the penalty area at the Maracana Stadium on Wednesday, reports Xinhua news agency.

It was Botafogo's fifth win from 13 matches as they rose to sixth in the 20-team standings, two points ahead of Fluminense.

In Sao Paulo, Corinthians extended their lead at the top of the table with a 2-0 away victory over defending champions Palmeiras.

Former Brazil international midfielder Jadson opened the scoring midway through the first half and Guilherme Arana doubled the visitors' lead just after the hour mark.

The result lifted Corinthians to 32 points, 12 points clear of second-placed Santos.

In other matches on Wednesday, Bahia won 3-0 at Ponte Preta, hosts Santos beat Atletico Mineiro 1-0, Vasco da Gama won 4 -1 at Vitoria and Cruzeiro secured a 2-0 victory away to Atletico Paranaense.