Sao Paulo, May 11 (IANS): Strikers Luis Fabiano and Alexandre Pato scored second-half goals to fire Sao Paulo to a 2-1 victory over Flamengo in the opening round of Brazil's Serie A football season.

It took until the 74th minute for Sao Paulo to break the deadlock when Fabiano headed in after Wesley's deft pass over the visitors' defence on Sunday, reports Xinhua.

Pato then made it 2-0 when he took a touch after midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso's pass before lashing a low shot past goalkeeper Paulo Victor.

Flamengo pulled a goal back four minutes from time when Ganso handled in the area and Everton converted the penalty.

Pato, whose goal came just minutes after he replaced Gabriel Boschilia, had a message for Sao Paulo coach Milton Cruz after the match.

"We have a manager who knows how to read the game very well. I want to play and this year I'm not going to accept sitting on the bench," the former AC Milan forward told reporters after the match.

"I'm in good form, scoring lots of goals and helping Sao Paulo."

In other matches on Sunday, Gremio drew 3-3 with Ponte Preta, Atletico Paranaense defeated Internacional 3-0, Corinthians won 1-0 at Cruzeiro, Sport routed Figueirense 4-1, Santos drew 1-1 at Avai and Goias held Vasco da Gama 0-0.