Forward Rony scored twice as Atletico Mineiro recovered from two goals down to register a 4-2 away win over Sport Recife in Brazil's Serie A on Saturday.

Leo Pereira opened the scoring for the hosts in the 18th minute by combining with Pablo Teixeira before finishing assuredly into the far corner.

Pereira was again on target just after the hour, turning and shooting in the same motion to beat goalkeeper Everson at his near post.

Former Brazil international forward Hulk pulled a goal back when his 35-yard free-kick slipped through the gloves of Gabriel Vasconcelos.

The visitors equalized two minutes later through Rony, who headed in after Gustavo Scarpa's cross.

Atletico suddenly had the momentum and Alexsander gave his side the lead from 10 yards after Hulk's lay-off.

Rony added a fourth goal seven minutes from time with a close-range tap-in following another Hulk assist.

The result leaves Atletico ninth in the 20-team standings with 43 points from 32 games while Sport remains last with 17 points.

Elsewhere in Brazil's Serie A on Saturday, Juventude won 3-1 at Vasco da Gama, Internacional was held to a 2-2 home draw with Bahia, and Bragantino prevailed 1-0 at Sao Paulo.