Former Brazil striker Romario came off the bench to score a 10-minute hat-trick as Vasco da Gama routed Volta Redonda 6-1 in the Carioca championship on Sunday.
Romario, 41, took his career total to 990 goals according to the tally he has kept himself but which includes goals scored at junior level and in friendly matches.
Typically, all of his goals -- his first since he returned for a fourth stint at the club where he began his career -- were scored from the edge of the six-metre area.
Romario came on in the 65th minute with Vasco already 3-0 ahead and needed four minutes to make his mark as he nonchalantly headed home a cross from the right.
In the 75th minute, he scored again from close range after a one-two and four minutes later rose unmarked to head in another cross from the right.
In the Paulista championship, Sao Paulo extended their unbeaten run over arch-rivals Corinthians to 12 games when they beat their nine-man opponents 3-1 in a stormy match.
Striker Lenilson put Sao Paulo ahead on the half hour with a low shot from the outside of the area and goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni added the second from a penalty one minute before halftime.
Leandro tapped in the third from close range in the 58th minute and Sao Paulo, with their fans in festive mood, began provoking the Corinthians players with some fancy tricks.
One of them, a cheeky Leandro backheel, sparked a brawl in the 75th minute, leading to a red card for Corinthians midfielder Magrao after he clattered into Leandro.
Corinthians, who pulled a goal back through Wilson, also had Jadilson sent off for a second bookable offence.
Sao Paulo, still unbeaten this year, are third in the table with 18 points from eight games.
Santos, playing their ninth game in 24 days, overcame torrential rain as they won 2-1 at Santo Andre to extend their unbeaten run to 15 games in all competitions.
Midfielder Cleber Santana scored both goals, heading in Rodrigo Tabata's free kick and then firing home a penalty.
The win kept Vanderlei Luxemburgo's team top with 19 points, ahead of Sao Caetano on goal difference and with a game in hand. Santos's last defeat was against Sao Paulo on Nov. 5 in last year's Brazilian championship.
