Gremio extended their unbeaten run and moved into second on Thursday, while Coritiba condemned lowly Palmeiras to yet another defeat.
Vanderlei Luxemburgo s Gremio ran out 3-1 winners at home to a Sport Recife side attempting to avoid relegation.
Defender Anderson Pico handed the hosts the lead on the stroke of half-time courtesy of his first goal since 2010.
Gremio doubled their advantage thanks to a 52nd minute effort from young striker Leandro before Marquinhos made it three five minutes later.
Hugo converted a penalty with 10 minutes remaining but it proved nothing more than a consolation goal as Gremio leapfrogged Atletico Mineiro into second.
In a fiercely contested encounter which saw 10 yellow cards distributed at the Estadio Palestra Italia, Coritiba recorded a dramatic 1-0 win to hand Palmeiras their fifth defeat in seven league games after Deivid netted an 89th minute spot-kick with the match seemingly destined for a draw.
The result moves Coritiba eight points clear of the drop zone, while Palmeiras are firmly entrenched in the relegation scrap with nine points separating them from safety after 29 league games.
