Flamengo struggled, losing 5-3 to Atlético-PR this afternoon at Arena da Baixada. The result left the red-and-black team in fifth place in the Brazilian Championship, with 64 points, and out of the 2009 Copa Libertadores. Palmeiras lost 1-0 to Botafogo, and an away win was enough for the team from Gávea to qualify for the biggest competition in the Americas. On the positive side, Marcelinho Paraíba's excellent performance in midfield, scoring all three of Flamengo's goals in the match, was a positive.

With both teams needing a win, the match started off electrifying, with both teams attacking. Flamengo's first good chance came in the 10th minute, when Diego Tardelli took a shot from the edge of the box, forcing Gallatto to make a fine save. Two minutes later, Netinho took a free kick from the right, and Toró headed it into his own net: 1-0 Atlético-PR.

Showing little energy and a disorganized appearance on the field, Flamengo conceded another goal in the 27th minute. Fábio Luciano kept calling for offside, leaving Rafael Moura free to score: 2-0 Atlético-PR.

In the 35th minute, Vandinho was brought down inside the penalty area. Leonardo Gaciba awarded the penalty. Marcelinho Paraíba converted a powerful shot to make it 2-1 at the Arena da Baixada. Four minutes later, Júlio César tried a shot from outside the box, but Bruno saved: 3-1 Atlético-PR.

In the 42nd minute, Marcelinho received the ball from Toró and shot from outside the area to score his second goal of the match: 3-2.

Flamengo returned for the second half unchanged. In the 11th minute, Rafael Moura took a shot from outside the box, but Bruno saved. With Léo Moura, Juan, and Vandinho lacking inspiration, Flamengo struggled to find the back of the net against the Paraná team.

Caio Júnior still tried to improve the team, putting Everton in Toró's place and Fernandão in Diego Tardelli's place, but the panorama of the match remained the same, with Atlético-PR marking strongly and creating danger and Flamengo making many mistakes and creating almost no scoring chances.

In the 29th minute, Zé Antônio received a free kick in the six-yard box and simply had to choose the corner: 4-2 Atlético-PR. Four minutes later, Marcelinho took a corner, Gallatto came out poorly, and Angelim headed the ball against the post. In the 37th minute, Fernandão missed an incredible chance in front of Gallatto.

In the 41st minute, Ronaldo Angelim awarded a penalty to Geílson. Alan Bahia converted with a stoppage time to make it 5-2. Soon after, Bruno took a free kick from the edge of the box and hit Gallatto's left post. Marcelinho then added another penalty for Flamengo.

TECHNICAL SHEET:\ ATLÉTICO-PR 5 X 3 FLAMENGO\

Location: Arena da Baixada, Curitiba (PR)\ Date/Time: 7/12/2008 - 17:375.280,00 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Referee: Leonardo Gaciba (FIFA-RS)\ Assistants: Altemir Hausmanm (FIFA-RS) and José Antônio Chaves (RS)\ Revenue/attendance: R$ 22.019/ XNUMX paying spectators\ Yellow cards: Netinho, Alberto, Zé Antônio (APR); Toró (FLA)\

GOALS: Toró (own goal), 12'/1st half (1-0); Rafael Moura, 26'/1st half (2-0); Marcelinho Paraíba, 35'/1st half (2-1); Julio Cesar, 39'/1st half (3-1); Marcelinho Paraíba, 42'/1st half (3-2); Ze Antonio, 27'/2nd half (4-2); Alan Bahia, 42'/2nd half (5-2); Marcelinho Paraíba, 48'/2nd half (5-3).

Coach Geninho.

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Jailton, Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim; Leo Moura, Airton, Toró (Everton, 14'/2nd half), Marcelinho Paraíba and Juan; Diego Tardelli (Maxi, 31'/2nd half) and Vandinho (Fernandão, 18'/2nd half). Coach: Caio Junior.