RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- 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 the 72nd minute through Johan Carbonero, whose powerful shot from a tight angle left goalkeeper Weverton with no chance.

But the result never looked in doubt as Palmeiras moved to within a point of leaders Flamengo with 46 points from 21 outings. Internacional is 11th in the 20-team standings, 19 points further back.

Roque praised his teammates after the match and described his hat-trick as "perfect".

"I scored one with my head, one with my left foot and another with my right," he said. "It was one of those nights when everything went right but most importantly we were able to achieve an important victory."

In other fixtures on Saturday, Fortaleza won 2-0 at home against Vitoria, Mirassol prevailed 1-0 at Gremio, and Corinthians won 1-0 at Fluminense. ■