Flamengo performed poorly, losing 2-1 to Cruzeiro this Sunday afternoon at Maracanã Stadium. With the comeback defeat, the red-and-black team dropped out of the top four and into sixth place in the Brazilian Championship. Vandinho, making his debut, scored the only goal for the team from Gávea.

With Erick Flores among the starters, coach Caio Júnior opted for a five-man midfield lineup. The first good chance of the game fell to Erick Flores, but the young midfielder misplaced the ball. Cruzeiro was better at passing the ball and dominating the midfield. The Minas Gerais team's first chances came from shots from outside the box, with Charles and Guilherme. Bruno saved Flamengo on both occasions.

In the 20th minute, Obina headed the ball, and Fábio saved. In the 23rd minute, Juan made a good run down the left and crossed to Léo Moura, but the right-back's shot went wide. Cruzeiro had the last good chance of the first half, with Guilherme forcing Bruno into a good save.

In the second half, Caio Júnior brought on Vandinho and Diego Tardelli for Obina and Erick Flores. In the 12th minute, Juan took a corner kick, and debutant Vandinho headed it home: 1-0 Flamengo.

Trailing on the scoreboard, Cruzeiro pushed forward and managed to turn the game around in three minutes. In the 21st minute, Jadílson took a corner, Espinoza deflected it, and Guilherme scored with a header: 1-1 at the Maracanã. Soon after, Charles passed to Rômulo, who only beat Bruno: 2-1 Cruzeiro.

Flamengo was left with ten men after Diego Tardelli fell awkwardly and fractured his arm. Caio Júnior had already made all three substitutions. With ten men down, Flamengo nearly equalized in the 40th minute, with a shot from Jônatas that hit Fábio's post.

Flamengo returns to the field next Wednesday, against Goiás, at Serra Dourada.

FLAMENGO 1 X 2 CRUZEIRO\ Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Date/time: 03/08/2008 - 16:576.483,00 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Referee: Carlos Eugenio Simon (Fifa-RS)\ Assistants: Altemir Hausmann (RS) and Ednilson Corona (SP)\ Revenue/attendance: R$ 37.210 - 12 paying spectators\ Yellow cards: Juan, Thiago Sales (FLA); Charles (CRU)\ Goals: Vandinho, 2'/1nd half (0-21); Guilherme, 2'/1nd half (1-24); Rômulo, 2'/1nd half (2-XNUMX)\

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Léo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Thiago Sales and Juan; Jaílton, Cristian, Ibson, Toró (Jônatas, 27'/2nd half) and Erick Flores (Diego Tardelli, Half-time); Obina (Vandinho, Half-time). Coach: Caio Júnior.

CRUZEIRO: Fabio, Elicarlos, Thiago Heleno, Espinoza and Jadilson; Henrique, Charles (Fernandinho, 37'/2nd half), Marquinhos Paraná and Wagner (Gerson Magrão, 33'/1st half); Weldon (Romulo, 15'/2nd half) and Guilherme. Coach: Adilson Batista.