Atletico PR claimed their third win on the bounce to move within seven points of top spot in the Campeonato with a 1-0 win at Palmeiras.
Brazilian forward Walter's 77th minute strike was enough to secure the win, which takes Atletico level on 28 points with their hosts but ahead of them via head-to-head and up to fourth.
Figueirense were the big winners on Sunday, though, after their 3-1 margin over Ponte Preta opened up a five-point gap over the drop zone.
They had to show character after Renato Chaves cancelled out Joao Vitor's (4) early opener after 51 minutes, but Marquinhos nudged Figueirense back in front 16 minutes from time before Dudu added gloss to the scoreline in stoppage time.
Joinville also lifted themselves up off bottom place to make things tighter at the foot of the table by beating Avai 2-0, courtesy of Jeci's (40) own goal and Guti's (61) strike. They are now up to 18th, but still in the drop zone and five points off safety.
Cruzeiro continued to struggle as they drew 0-0 at Sport Recife to drop to 14th, while Internacional and Chapecoense also played out a goalless stalemate.
Rock-bottom Coritiba salvaged a 1-1 draw as Evandro cancelled out Moreira Liniker's (69) opener in stoppage time and Santos struck back from 2-0 down as Ricardo Oliveira (52) and Lucas Lima (72) cancelled out Alan Patrick's (40) and Emerson Sheik's (42) goals for Flamengo.
Source: PA
