RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Botafogo scored twice in each half to cruise to a 4-1 home win over Bragantino in Brazil's Serie A on Saturday.
Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Danilo opened the scoring with a 25-yard rocket, but Botafogo's defense was caught napping shortly after as Jhon Rosa advanced unchallenged into the box and lifted a shot over goalkeeper Neto.
Midfielder Newton restored the host's lead with another long-range finish and Jefferson Savarino made it 3-1 when he completed a swift counterattack by thumping a dipping effort into the far corner.
Alvaro Montoro completed the rout in stoppage time as he slid home from the edge of the six-yard box after Artur's pass.
The result at Rio's Olympic Stadium leaves Botafogo fifth in the 20-team standings with 35 points, 11 behind leader Flamengo. Bragantino is eighth, five points further back.
"I think it may have been our best game since I arrived," said Botafogo manager David Ancelotti, who took charge of the club in July. "We've played well for periods in other games but lacked continuity. Tonight we put it together for the entire 90 minutes."
In other Brazilian Serie A fixtures on Saturday, Cruzeiro edged to a 1-0 home win over Sao Paulo and Juventude prevailed 1-0 at Ceara. ■