SAO PAULO, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Midfielder Matheuzinho struck his first goal of the 2018/19 Brazilian Serie A season on Saturday as America Mineiro earned a 1-1 draw with leaders Sao Paulo.

Former Brazil striker Diego Souza opened the scoring for the hosts at their Morumbi Stadium by heading in Nene's floating 30-yard pass into the box.

The equalizer came nine minutes from time after Sao Paulo's goalkeeper Sidao dived low to his left to keep out Carlinhos shot. The rebound fell to Matheuzinho, whose partially scuffed effort just had enough pace to beat Sidao into the bottom left corner.

Sao Paulo remain top of the 20-team standings but could be usurped on Sunday by second-placed Internacional, who will visit defending champions Corinthians.

America Mineiro rose to 10th, keeping alive their faint hope of securing a top-six place that would guarantee a berth in next year's Copa Libertadores.