Flamengo showed grit and determination, defeating Vitória 2-1 this Saturday at Engenhão Stadium. With the result, the red-and-black team reached 14 points and jumped to fifth place in the Brazilian Championship. Juan and Emerson scored the goals in Flamengo's fourth victory in the competition. In the next round, the team from Gávea faces São Paulo at Morumbi Stadium.

The game began with the visiting team creating a threat in the fourth minute. Leandro Domingues took a free kick from the edge of the box and hit Bruno's post. In the eighth minute, Toró felt pain in his thigh and was replaced by Everton. In the 17th minute, Ibson had a chance to open the scoring, but the number 7's shot went wide.

In the 25th minute, Ibson tried his luck from outside the box, but the ball grazed the post of Vitória's number 1. It didn't take long for Flamengo's dominance to turn into a goal. In the 26th minute, Juan received a beautiful pass from Kléberson, controlled the ball in the box, and fired a shot past Viafara: 1-0 Flamengo.

Flamengo continued to press, and Everton had a chance to extend their lead in the 32nd minute, but the number 22's shot went over the crossbar. In the 43rd minute, Roger headed the ball into the net from outside the box, the last dangerous play of the first half.

The Bahia team came back stronger in the second half and managed to reduce the deficit in the 15th minute. Apodi burst down the right and crossed perfectly for Roger. The striker rose higher than the defenders and tied the game: 1-1. In the 26th minute, Cuca brought on Zé Roberto for Juan.

The change improved Flamengo's play, as they began to dominate the midfield and create good chances. After missed chances by Everton and Adriano, Emerson broke the deadlock for Flamengo in the 23rd minute. He capitalized on a mistake by Vitória's defense and scored past Viafara to make it 2-1.

In the 33rd minute, Ze Roberto burst into the box from the left and was brought down by Nino. Nielson Nogueira awarded the penalty. Ibson took the shot, and Viafara saved. In the end, Vanderson headbutted Emerson and was sent off. With a man up, Flamengo passed the ball around and waited for the referee's whistle to celebrate another victory in the Brazilian Championship.

CREDITS:

FLAMENGO 2 x 1 VICTORY\ Stadium: Engenhão, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Date/time: 4/7/2009 - 18:30 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Referee: Nielson Nogueira (Fifa-PE)\ Assistants: Erch Bandeira (Fifa-PE) and Jossemmar José Diniz Moutinho (PE)\ Yellow cards: (FLA); Anderson Martins (VIT)\ Red cards: Vanderson 37'/2nd half (VIT) Kléberson 46'/2nd half (FLA)\

GOALS: Juan, 26'/1st Q (1-0); Roger, 16'/2nd T (1-1); Emerson, 23'/2nd Q (2-1)

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Léo Moura, Weliton, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan (Zé Roberto, 18'/2nd half); Willians, Toró (Everton, 9'/1st half), Kléberson and Ibson; Emerson (Petkovic, 43'/2nd half) and Adriano. - Coach: Cuca.

VICTORY: Viafara, Wallace, Victor Ramos and Anderson Martins (Adriano, 44'/2nd half); Apodi (Nino, 33'/2nd half), Vanderson, Uellinton; Leandro Dominguez and Leandro; Elkeson (Neto Berola, 16'/2nd half) and Roger. - Coach: Paulo César Carpegiani.