SAO PAULO, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Alexandre Pato converted an 82nd-minute penalty to hand Corinthians a 2-1 victory over rivals Sao Paulo in Brazil's Campeonato Paulista on Sunday.

Pato, introduced as a second-half substitute after recovering from a thigh injury, was awarded the spot kick after being brought down by veteran goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni.

"I have to make the most of my time on the pitch and today I was able to do that by coming on and and scoring," Pato said after the match.

The goal was Pato's fifth since his 15-million-euro move to Corinthians from AC Milan in January.

Corinthians will now shift their focus to Wednesday's Copa Libertadoresclash against Colombia's Millonarios in Bogota.