Neymar and Ganso lead Santos to 5-0 rout in Brazil

SAO PAULO (AP) — Santos capped its centenary celebrations with a 5-0 rout of Catanduvense in the Sao Paulo state championship on Sunday, getting a goal from Neymar and two by Paulo Henrique Ganso — including a remarkable lon of the goalkeeper.

Ganso opened the scoring after a pass by Neymar in the 25th, controlling the ball at the top of the area and sending a perfect lob over the goalkeeper, receiving a standing ovation at the Vila Belmiro.

Santos, made famous by Pele in the 1960s, turned 100 on Saturday, and remains a force in Latin American football. Now it's the likes of the 20-year-old Neymar and the 22-year-old Ganso who are keeping the traditional club in the spotlight.

Ganso also scored in the 71st, while Neymar got his goal in the 65th and participated in two others. Striker Borges netted in the 33rd and 84th as defending champion Santos finished the first stage of the competition in third place in the 20-team standings.

The top eight clubs had already secured a spot in the playoffs and the final round only determined which teams would play at home in the next stage.

Corinthians finished first with 46 points after beating Ponte Preta 2-1 in Campinas, three points ahead of Sao Paulo, which lost 2-1 to Linense in Lins.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's Palmeiras drew last-placed Comercial 2-2 at home despite playing nearly the entire second half with a two-men advantage because of red cards to Comercial players. Palmeiras had an apparent legitimate goal disallowed for offside in the final minutes.

In the playoffs, it will be Corinthians vs. Ponte Preta, Sao Paulo vs. Bragantino, Santos vs. Mogi Mirim and Guarani vs. Palmeiras.

In Rio de Janeiro, Vasco da Gama defeated Nova Iguacu 3-1 to set up a Rio Cup semifinal against Flamengo, which is coming off a disappointing exit from the Copa Libertadores. The other semifinal will be Botafogo vs. Bangu.

Fluminense was eliminated despite a 5-1 win over Olaria. However Fluminense had already been guaranteed a spot in the state final because it won the Guanabara Cup, the competition's first stage.

Vasco striker Alecsandro scored twice and midfielder Romulo added another goal in the win over Nova Iguacu in Moca Bonita to advance as the second-place team in Group B with 14 points from eight matches. Bangu won the group by defeating Resende 3-0, reaching 15 points.

Fluminense got two goals from striker Rafael Moura and one from former Chelsea playmaker Deco in the rout of Olaria in Volta Redonda, but it only reached 13 points to stay at third place.

Flamengo won Group A with 21 points after beating Americano 3-1 at the Engehnao stadium. Flamengo played without two-time FIFA player of the year Ronaldinho, who has been heavily criticized by fans and local media for his poor performances with the club.

Botafogo was second in Group A with 18 points after drawing Boavista 1-1 at the Sao Januario stadium.

Uruguay striker Sebastian "El Loco" Abreu, playing his 100th match with Botafogo, missed his fifth penalty in his past six tries.

After the regional championships, the national league begins next month.