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RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Gremio regained the top spot in the Brazilian championship from Palmeiras with a 2-0 win at home to Santos.
Former Uruguay international Richard Morales opened the scoring in the second minute of Wednesday's game after a long-range Soares shot hit a defender.
The hosts had to wait until injury-time for the second when 18-year-old midfielder Douglas Costa, who scored on his debut on Saturday, had a free kick saved by Santos goalkeeper Douglas and Soares scored from the rebound.
The visitors had defender Fabiano Eller sent off in the second half.
Vanderlei Luxemburgo's Palmeiras could manage only a goalless draw away to struggling Figueirense.
Kleber had their best effort when he headed against the crossbar and shortly afterwards substitute Evandro rounded the goalkeeper but saw his shot cleared off the line.
Gremio top the standings with 56 points from 29 games, two ahead of Palmeiras.
Vasco da Gama stayed in the relegation zone after a injury-time goal denied them their first win in eight games in a 2-2 draw at Sport Recife.
Leandro Amaral scored twice in a five-minute spell before halftime to put Vasco ahead after Kassio had opened the scoring for Sport.
But an opportunist goal from Ciro salvaged a draw for the hosts and left Vasco 17th in the 20-team table with 27 points, ahead of Portuguesa, Ipatinga and Fluminense who also have 27.
The bottom four go down.
(Writing by Brian Homewood in Buenos Aires, editing by Justin Palmer)
