Flamengo put on a strong performance, defeating Sport 3-0 this Saturday at Maracanã. The result left the red-and-black team from Gávea in eighth place in the Brazilian Championship. Adriano (2) and Zé Roberto scored the winning goals. "Emperor" is the competition's top scorer with 12 goals. In the next round of the competition, Flamengo faces Coritiba, again at Maracanã.

Flamengo dominated the match from the opening minutes, giving their opponents no chance. Just two minutes in, Adriano received the ball at the edge of the box, dribbled past the defender, and shot into the top corner, opening the score: 1-0. Even with the advantage, Flamengo didn't let up and continued to press. In the 17th minute, Adriano received a cross and unleashed a beautiful volley that sailed just wide of Sport's right post.

In the 25th minute, Denis Marques received a great pass from Adriano, but lost the ball in front of Magrão. Sport threatened for the first time in the 29th minute. Paulinho's free kick grazed Bruno's post. Two minutes later, Flamengo extended their lead. Petkovic led a beautiful counterattack and passed to Zé Roberto, who fired a powerful shot, leaving Magrão with no chance: 2-0 Flamengo. In the 36th minute, Durval was sent off, leaving Flamengo with a man up.

The second half began with Flamengo pressing. Just two minutes in, Léo Moura crossed from the right, and Adriano nearly extended the lead with a header. In the fourth minute, Petkovic took a corner, and Álvaro headed dangerously. In the 14th minute, Denis Marques made a good move and crossed for Adriano, who volleyed in another. Magrão made a fine save, saving the Pernambuco team.

In the 24th minute, Adriano, on an inspired night, attempted a bicycle kick and nearly scored his second. A minute later, Everton crossed from the left, and the number 10 headed dangerously. In the 30th minute, Petkovic shot from the edge of the box, but Magrão saved. Three minutes later, the Serbian took a free kick, and the Sporting goalkeeper saved another.

In the end, after a corner kick, Adriano headed the ball and scored another for Flamengo: 3-0. The red-black fans celebrated at Maracanã.

TECHNICAL SHEET: FLAMENGO 3 X 0 SPORT

Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Date/time: 12/09/2009 - 18:30 pm (Brasília time)\ Referee: André Luiz de Freitas Castro (GO)\ Assistants: Christian Passos Sorence (GO) and Nilson de Souza Monção (SP)\

Income / audience: R$ 397.183,00 / 26.995 paying spectators

Yellow Cards: Zé Roberto, Leonardo Moura, Álvaro (FLA); Dutra (SPO)\ Red Cards: Durval, 37'/1st half (SPO)\

GOALS: Adriano, 2'/1st half (1-0); Zé Roberto, 32'/1st half (2-0); Adriano, 44'/2nd half (3-0).

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Alvaro, Ronaldo Angelim and Everton; Aírton, Maldonado, Ze Roberto (Bruno Mezenga, 48'/2nd half) and Petkovic (Erick Flores, 40'/2nd half); Denis Marques (Fierro, 18'/2nd half) and Adriano. Coach: Andrade.

SPORT: Magrão, Elder Granja, Juliano, Durval and Dutra; Hamilton, Zé Antônio (Fininho, 31'/2nd half), Fabiano and Paulinho Adriano, 21'/2nd half); Wilson and Arce (César, 38'/1st half). Coach: Pericles Chamusca.