The ace Brazilian striker found the back of the net three minutes after the hour mark as the defending champions took their tally to 24 points from eight games, seven more than their ACL counterparts and second-placed Pakhtakor who have a game in hand.

AFC Cup side Neftchi registered a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Bukhara, thanks to a brace from Alisher Halikov. Lochin Soliev reduced the margin for the losers.

Neftchi, who are third in AFC Cup Group A with five points, three less than leaders Bahrain’s Busaiteen, will host Lebanon’s Al Ahed on Tuesday.