The Taça Rio final didn't end in a draw, but it was also decided on penalties. Three penalties were awarded during the 90 minutes, two for Botafogo and one for Flamengo. The black-and-whites capitalized on their chances, the red-and-blacks failed to convert, and the team from General Severiano ended up winning the second round and the 2010 Campeonato Carioca with a 2-1 victory. Herrera and Abreu scored for Botafogo, and Love pulled one back.

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The victory gives Botafogo its 19th state title in history. Flamengo remains the most successful team in the Rio de Janeiro State Championship, with 31 titles, and now turns its attention to another final on Wednesday. The team faces Caracas, needing a win to qualify for the next stage of the Copa Santander Libertadores.

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Tie in race
The match started with a decisive feel. Numerous cards, a thrilling start, and intense competition. Botafogo, with a tight defense, prevented Flamengo from imposing its rhythm, which relied on passing the ball and the speed of its attack. However, the black and whites, in turn, tried, as always, to threaten with aerial balls. And that's how the team from General Severiano opened the scoring in the 24th minute.

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Fábio Ferreira was pulled down by Ronaldo Angelim inside the box for a corner kick: a penalty, which Herrera converted into the middle of the goal to make it 1-0. Needing more movement in midfield, Andrade wasted no time in making changes to his team. A minute after the goal, he took off defensive midfielder Toró and brought on Vinícius Pacheco. The team began to push forward more, and with determination, they managed to equalize.

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In the final minute of the first half, Michael made a brilliant move down the right flank and crossed to Adriano, who headed it to David. The defender took a shot, Jefferson made a great save, but Vagner Love made no mistake, scoring his 15th goal of the Campeonato Carioca and 17th of the year, tying the score and heating up the match.

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Penalties and expulsions
If Flamengo became more offensive in the first half, Joel Santana tried to do the same for Botafogo early in the second half. Caio and Edno came on. But it was the red-and-blacks who began to dominate the game. The comeback almost came in the 19th minute, when Vinícius Pacheco made a beautiful run down the left and crossed for Vagner Love. But defender Fabio Ferreira saved at the last minute.

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However, in the 25th minute, after another ball in the box, the referee awarded another penalty in favor of Botafogo. This time, Maldonado, who was subsequently sent off, awarded a penalty to Herrera. Loco Abreu stepped up to take the penalty, once again in the middle of the goal, and the black and whites regained the lead: 2-1. Retribution came in the same measure and in a short time. In the 32nd minute, Angelim was brought down by Fahel in the box: a penalty for Flamengo. Herrera protested vehemently and was sent off.

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But while Alvinegro capitalized on both penalty kicks, Flamengo squandered their opportunity. Adriano took a weak shot, and Jefferson palmed it away. What seemed like a red-and-black comeback was a cold shower. In the end, Rodrigo Alvim and Vagner Love almost equalized, but the result was already decided, thanks to Jefferson: Botafogo, 2010 Rio de Janeiro champions.

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CREDITS:
FLAMENGO 1 X 2 BOTAFOGO

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Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Date/Time: 18/4/10 - 16:XNUMX PM (Brasília time)
Income/Audience: R$ 1.677.565,00 / 50.303 paying customers
Referee: Gutemberg de Paula Fonseca (RJ)
Auxiliaries: Wagner de Almeida Santos (RJ) and Jackson Lourenço Massara dos Santos (RJ)

Yellow Cards: Bruno, Toró, Rodrigo Alvim, David, Maldonado, Ronaldo Angelim, Vagner Love and Vinicius Pacheco (FLA); Alessandro, Renato, Tulio Souza, Leandro Guerreiro and Somalia (BOT)
Red Cards: Maldonado (FLA) and Herrera (BOT)

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GOALS: Herrera 22'/1st Q (0-1), Vagner Love 44'/1st Q (1-1)

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FLAMENGO: Bruno, Léo Moura, David, Angelim and Rodrigo Alvim; Toró (Vinicius Pacheco - 24'/1st half), Willians, Toró and Michael; Adriano and Vagner Love. Technical: Andrade.

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BOTAFOGO: Jefferson, Fabio Ferreira, Antonio Carlos and Fahel; Alessandro, Leandro Guerreiro, Tulio Souza (Caio - 13'/2nd half), Renato (Edno - 19'/2nd half) and Somalia; Herrera and Loco Abreu. Technical: Joel Santana