Dede (above C) of Cruzeiro helps Rodrigo Caio (on the pitch) of Flamengo after his injury during the 2019 Brazilian Serie A 1st round match between Flamengo and Cruzeiro at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on April 27, 2019.

RIO DE JANEIRO, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Everton Cardoso and Hudson Rodrigues scored both sides of halftime to give Sao Paulo a 2-0 home win over Botafogo on the opening day of the Brazilian Serie A season on Saturday.

Everton opened the scoring in the 41st minute at the Morumbi stadium by heading in while unmarked at the near post following a lofted Antony dos Santos cross.

Hudson doubled the hosts' lead by firing in a low 25-yard shot after a one-touch Hernanes lay-off.

In Belo Horizonte, Atletico Mineiro beat Avai thanks to goals from Fabio Santos and former Brazil international striker Ricardo Oliveira. Feliciano Brizuela netted for the visitors, who had a goal by defender Betao ruled out by the video assistant referee.

In other matches on Saturday, Chapecoense won 2-0 at home to Internacional and Flamengo defeated Cruzeiro 3-1.