Clarence Seedorf's Botafogo moved to the top of the Campeonato Brasileiro standings with a 2-0 victory over Nautico.
Half-time substitute Elias scored just minutes after his introduction after a precise Rafael Marques pass at the Sao Januario Stadium Saturday. Veteran midfielder Renato added another 12 minutes from time by heading in Nicolas Lodeiro's cross, reports Xinhua.
"It's a great feeling to score my first goal in the Botafogo shirt. Now I want to carry on with this form," said Elias, who joined the club from Serie D side Resende in May.
Meanwhile, Chile winger Eduardo Vargas and Matheus Biteco were sent off before the hour in Gremio's 1-2 loss away to Criciuma.
Matheus Ferraz scored the winner after former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder Ze Roberto cancelled out Wellington Paulista's opener. In Saturday's only other match Cruzeiro shocked hosts Sao Paulo 3-0.