Palmeiras edge RB Bragantino as José Manuel Lopez strikes to keep leaders on course | OneFootball

Palmeiras beat RB Bragantino 1-0 on Sunday in Bragança Paulista to stay top of the Brasileirão, with Braga dropping from eighth to ninth.

In the 21st minute, José Manuel Lopez swept a left-footed finish into the bottom corner from the centre of the box after a Ramón Sosa pass, the game's defining moment.

After the restart, Sosa forced a save from Tiago Volpi (50.). Carlos Miguel then denied Lucas Barbosa with a smart stop from a close-range header (55.).

Braga increased the pressure after changes on the hour. Vinicinho and Rodriguinho arrived (61.) as crosses rained in, and Isidro Pitta's header was saved by Miguel (70.).

Deep into second half stoppage time, Carlos Miguel clutched Gustavo Marques' goalbound header to seal the points.

Braga saw 61.2% possession and 19 attempts as they chased an equaliser. Verdão managed six attempts and made 34 clearances to protect their advantage.

Next, Braga host Club Atlético River Plate in the Sudamericana. Verdão visit Cerro Porteño in the Libertadores.