Flamengo defeated Botafogo 1-0 this Sunday at Engenhão and moved even closer to the leaders of the Brazilian Championship. With the result, the red-and-black team maintained fifth place, now with 51 points, one point behind the top four and three behind leaders Palmeiras. Adriano scored the only goal of the match in the first half and once again took over the competition's top scorer spot. In the next round, the team from Gávea faces Barueri on Wednesday in São Paulo.

Flamengo dominated the first half and created the best chances. In the fifth minute, Juan crossed from the left and Fierro shot wide. Soon after, Zé Roberto shot from the edge of the box, but the ball grazed Jeferson's post. In the eighth minute, Reinaldo shot from outside the box and Bruno palmed it away for a corner.

In the 23rd minute, Toró's shot went wrong, leaving Adriano inside the box. The number 10's shot was weak, and the black and white number 1's saved confidently. A minute later, Fierro crossed from the left, and Zé Roberto headed dangerously. In the 31st minute, Adriano made a great play, dribbling past Juninho and Wellington, and shooting across goal, leaving Jeferson with no chance: 1-0 Flamengo.

In the 38th minute, Petkovic received the ball at the edge of the Flamengo box and made a beautiful pass to Fierro, who exchanged passes with Zé Roberto, and missed an incredible chance in front of Jeferson.

Flamengo returned for the second half with a more defensive stance, giving Botafogo space to attack. Andre Lima nearly equalized in the sixth minute, but Bruno made a fine save to save Flamengo. In the 16th minute, Petkovic felt pain in his thigh and was replaced by Gil. The Serbian received his third yellow card and will not face Barueri on Wednesday.

In the 16th minute, Victor Simões exchanged passes with André Lima and fired a powerful shot. Bruno, well-positioned, made a confident save. In the 25th minute, referee Luiz Antônio Silva dos Santos erred and awarded a non-existent penalty by Airton on André Lima. Lucio Flavio took the shot, and Bruno saved.

In the 33rd minute, Lucio Flavio crossed from the left, Victor Simões set up a back pass, and André Lima fired over Bruno's goal. Finally, Zé Roberto burst into the box from the left and fired a powerful shot. Jeferson saved, and the ball fell to Gil, who missed a fantastic chance right in front of goal.

CREDITS:

BOTAFOGO 0 X 1 FLAMENGO

Stadium: João Havelange Olympic Stadium, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Date/time: 25/10/2009 - 18:30 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Referee: Luiz Antônio Silva dos Santos (RJ)\ Assistants: Marco Aurelio Pessanha (RJ) and Ediney Guerreiro Mascarenhas (RJ)\ Revenue/attendance: R$ 656.242,00 / 22.727 present (25.192 paying)\ Yellow cards: Lucio Flavio and Jobson (BOT); Fierro, Juan, Petkovic and Airton (FLA)\

GOAL: Adriano, 31'/1st half (0-1)

BOTAFOGO: Jefferson, Alessandro, Juninho, Wellington and Diego (Jônatas, 35'/2nd half); Leandro Guerreiro, Batista (Victor Simões, 13'/2nd half), Lucio Flavio and Reinaldo (Renato, 35'/2nd half); Jobson and André Lima. Coach: Estevam Soares.

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Airton, Fabricio and Juan (Wellinton, 41'/2nd half); Maldonado, Toró, Fierro (Lennon, 27'/2nd half) and Petkovic (Gil, 16'/2nd half); Zé Roberto and Adriano. Coach: Andrade.