Santos stays top in Brazil after six-goal thriller

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 25 (Reuters) -- Santos stayed top of the Brazilian championship after drawing away to Goias in a six-goal thriller on Saturday.

Santos, runners-up last year and champions in 2002, led 3-2 after only 34 minutes but had to settle for a point after Leandro equalised for Goias in the second half.

Robinho scored twice for Santos with Cleber grabbing two for Goias.

Santos, whose coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo led Cruzeiro to the title last year, lead with 32 points from 18 games. They are level with second-placed Ponte Preta on games won but have a better goal difference.

Ponte Preta, who have never won the title, beat Gremio 1-0 with an 80th-minute goal by Rafael Santos, who tapped in a rebound after the Gremio defence failed to clear a corner and the ball ran on to Marcus Vinicius whose shot was parried by goalkeeper Marcio.

Veteran striker Romario was on target as Fluminense beat Corinthians 2-0.

The 38-year-old had barely touched the ball before he struck in the 19th minute to put Fluminense ahead. Esquerdinha scored the second in injury time.

Flamengo, one of the most popular clubs in the country, moved off the bottom after a goalless draw with Atletico Mineiro but are still in the relegation zone.

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