PORTO ALEGRE, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Chile international forward Eduardo Vargas scored twice in the first half as Gremio defeated Botafogo 2-1 in Brazil's Serie A championship on Sunday.

Vargas opened the scoring at Arena do Gremio with a 14th-minute volley before former Dutch international midfielder Clarence Seedorf equalized by skipping around two defenders and drilling a powerful 25m shot into the top corner.

But Vargas made it 2-1 with another first-time finish after an Alex Telles free-kick.

The result lifts Gremio to 12 points from five matches, one point behind third-placed Botafogo.

Gremio striker Kleber praised the impact of former Brazil forward Renato Gaucho, who was appointed coach earlier this month after the sacking of Vanderlei Luxemburgo.

"He has reminded us of the spirit of this club and we showed that spirit today," Kleber said. "We played with quality in the first half and in the second we showed determination.

"This is how we're going to play now and we want to be among the teams fighting for the title."