FLORIANOPOLIS, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Leaders Flamengo secured their fifth straight victory in Brazil's Serie A championship on Saturday by routing relegation-threatened Avai 3-0.
Inter Milan loanee Gabriel Barbosa opened the scoring for the visitors with a low finish after being set up by teenage debutant Reinier.
Former Manchester City center-back Pablo Mari made it 2-0 with a bullet header from a corner and Reinier capped a fine display with a close-range finish after combining superbly with Barbosa. The latter now has 29 goals in 39 matches since joining Flamengo in January after a spell with Santos.
Flamengo were without playmaker Giorgian de Arrascaeta and attacker Bruno Henrique, due to their respective commitments for the Uruguay and Brazil national teams.
The result left Flamengo three points clear of second-placed Santos, who host Athletico Paranense on Sunday. Avai are last in the 20-team standings with just 10 points from 18 matches.
In other fixtures on Saturday, Fluminense won 1-0 at Fortaleza, Corinthians were held 2-2 at home by Ceara and Bahia won 2-0 at Vasco da Gama.