In front of more than 80 fans, Flamengo defeated Santos 1-0 this Saturday at Maracanã Stadium and jumped to third place in the Brazilian Championship with 54 points. Adriano scored the red-and-black goal, but the highlight of the night was goalkeeper Bruno, saving two penalties from Paulo Henrique Ganso. In the next round, the team from Gávea faces Atlético-MG at Mineirão Stadium, in another decisive match for coach Andrade's team.

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Flamengo started the match better and took the lead in the sixth minute. Léo Moura crossed from the right and Adriano rose to head home his seventeenth goal of the competition, tying Diego Tardelli for the top scorer spot: 1-0 Flamengo. After the goal, Flamengo retreated, and Santos grew into the match.

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In the 20th minute, referee Nielson Dias awarded a dubious penalty by Airton on Adaílton. Paulo Henrique Ganso crossed the ball, and Bruno made a great save. It was the last dangerous play of the first half, which ended with both teams misplacing numerous passes and failing to create any good scoring chances.

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The visiting team went on the attack early in the second half and nearly tied the match with a beautiful play by Felipe Azevedo in the 10th minute, dribbling past two players and shooting just wide of the post. Soon after, Adriano advanced down the left, burst into the box, and fired a cross-shot. Felipe made a good save, saving Santos.

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In the 17th minute, Adriano received the ball in the penalty area and fired a powerful shot that hit Felipe's right post. In the 28th minute, the referee awarded a nonexistent penalty by Álvaro on André. Paulo Henrique Ganso stepped up to take the shot again, and Bruno saved it with his feet. Celebrations erupted in the Maracanã stands.

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In the end, Santos still tried to create some plays, but Flamengo fought hard on the field and managed to hold on to the result until the end, to the delight of the red-black nation.

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CREDITS:
FLAMENGO 1 X 0 SANTOS

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Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Date/time: 31/10/09 - 18:30 p.m. (Brasília)
Referee: Nielson Nogueira Dias (PE)
Assistants: Jossemmar José Diniz Moutinho (PE) and Luciano José Coelho Cruz (PE)
Yellow cards: Léo Moura, Maldonado, Toró and Ronaldo Angelim (FLA) Triguinho and Adaílton (SAN)
Red cards: -

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GOAL: Adriano, 6'/1st half (1-0)

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FLAMENGO: Bruno, Léo Moura, Álvaro, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Aírton, Maldonado, Willians (Toró, 33'/2nd half) and Petkovic (Fierro, 38'/2nd half); Ze Roberto (Welinton, 47'/2nd half) and Adriano. Coach: Andrade.

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SANTOS: Felipe; Pará, Eli Sabiá, Adaílton and Triguinho (Leo, half-time); Rodrigo Mancha (Felipe Azevedo, half-time), Rodrigo Souto, Germano and Paulo Henrique Ganso; Jean (Madson, 19'/2nd half) and André. Coach: Vanderlei Luxemburgo.

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