Rio De Janeiro, Sept. 14 -- Former Barcelona forward Vitor Roque netted a first-half hat-trick as Palmeiras rose to second in Brazil's Serie A on Saturday with a 4-1 home win over Internacional.
Roque opened the scoring with a first-time effort that deflected in off goalkeeper Sergio Rochet's right leg.
The 20-year-old Brazil international doubled the hosts' advantage by firing home from the edge of the six-yard box after Facundo Torres' cross.
Lucas Evangelista showed sharp reflexes to make it 3-0 from close range after Rochet parried away Felipe Anderson's attempt from distance.
Roque completed his hat-trick by nodding in following Gustavo Gomez's headed pass from the left side of the penalty area.
The visitors reduced the deficit in...