World Football

By Brian Homewood

RIO DE JANEIRO, May 25 (Reuters) - Cruzeiro maintained their perfect start to the Brazilian championship by thumping Santos 4-0 on Sunday.

The Foxes are the only team with maximum points from their first three games after piling on the misery for Santos, who were knocked out of the South American Libertadores Cup by Mexico's America on Thursday.

Striker Guilherme opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a shot from the edge of the penalty area and doubled Cruzeiro's lead in the 63rd minute after cutting inside his marker and firing past Fabio Costa.

Wagner and Maicosuel completed the scoring.

Titleholders Sao Paulo, also knocked out of the Libertadores in midweek, remained winless after being held 1-1 at home by Coritiba in front of only 5,000 people at the Morumbi.

Rubens Cardoso gave promoted Coritiba a 14th minute lead and Borges replied for the hosts 11 minutes later. Sao Paulo, champions for the last two years, have taken two points from three games.

Goias blew their chance for a first win when they had two players sent off in the second half and were held 1-1 at home by Ipatinga, who almost remained winless.

Paulo Baier gave Goias a fifth minute lead from a free kick but the hosts had Julio Cesar sent off for a bad tackle in the 69th minute followed by Paulo Henrique in the 78th.

Neto Baiano headed the equaliser two minutes later.

Atletico Paranaense and Atletico Mineiro, both playing their first games under new coaches, drew 1-1.

Roberto Fernandes was making his debut for Paranaense while Alexandre Gallo was in charge of their opponents.

Figueirense, playing their first game under Guilherme Macuglia, were thumped 4-0 by Vitoria on Saturday.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)