Playing intelligently, Flamengo overcame all obstacles and secured a crucial 3-0 victory this Wednesday night at Garcilaso de la Veja Stadium in Cusco. Renato Augusto, Toró, and Juan scored the goals, sending the red-and-black team to the round of XNUMX of the Copa Libertadores.

The game began with Flamengo's players clearly holding back, due to the effects of the 3.400-meter altitude. Renato Augusto and Souza had space, but couldn't trouble goalkeeper Flores. Cienciano had the first good chance, with Bazalar's shot from outside the box, forcing Bruno to make a good save.

With the match intense in midfield, referee Sergio Pezzotta issued yellow cards to control the players' tempers. The Peruvian team threatened again in the 36th minute, with Romaña finishing with a header, unmarked.

In the second half, Flamengo changed its approach and began to push Flores' goal forward more. In the eighth minute, Souza received the ball at the edge of the penalty area, dribbled past the defender, and passed it to Renato Augusto, who, unmarked, had only to choose the corner: 1-0 Flamengo.

Four minutes later, Souza had a chance to extend his lead. The striker received a good pass from Ibson, but shot over the bar. Soon after, in the 10th minute, Kléberson missed another good opportunity.

In the 15th minute, Bruno saved a dangerous shot from Guevara. The red-and-blacks' lives became easier after Cienciano captain Bazalar committed a hard foul on Toró and was sent off.

In the 21st minute, Renato Augusto took a shot from outside the box, but Flores made a fine save, palming it out for a corner. The Gávea team scored another in the 32nd minute. Ibson advanced through midfield and passed to Toró. The midfielder burst into the box and fired a cross-shot: 2-0 Flamengo.

With the lead, Flamengo began to pass the ball around and let time run out. Cienciano's team couldn't reach Bruno's goal anymore, as the Flamengo defense was so well positioned. Late in the match, Joel brought on Marcinho and Obina, replacing Souza and Renato Augusto.

There was still time for Flamengo to extend its lead. Marcinho made a good play and was fouled just outside the box. Juan fired a superb shot into the top corner of goalkeeper Flores's net: 3-0 Flamengo.

Flamengo returns to the field on Sunday to face Botafogo in the Taça Rio semifinal. In the Copa Libertadores, Flamengo closes the first stage against Coronel Bolognesi on the 23rd at Maracanã.

MATCH SHEET:\ CIENCIANO (PER) 0 X 3 FLAMENGO\ Stadium: Garcilaso, Cuzco (PER)\ Date/time: 9/04/2008 - 21:50 (Brasília time)\ Referee: Sergio Pezzotta (ARG - FIFA)\ Income/attendance: Not disclosed\ Yellow cards: Ortiz and Vassallo (CIE); Fábio Luciano, Juan and Toró (FLA).\ Red cards: Bazalar (CIE).\ GOALS: 8'/2nd H, Renato Augusto (0-1); 32'/2nd H, Toró (0-2); 48'/2nd H, Juan (0-3).\ CIENCIANO (PER): Flores; Guizasola, Marengo, Solís and Romaña; Bazalar, Ortiz, Uribe (Guevara, 14'/2nd half) and Portillo (Corrales, 26'/2nd half); Sawa and Vassallo. Coach: Franco Navarro.\ FLAMENGO: Bruno, Leo Moura, Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Cristian, Kleberson, Ibson (Jailton, 46'/2nd half) and Toro; Renato Augusto (Marcinho, 41'/2nd half) and Souza (Obina, 43'/2nd half). Coach: Joel Santana.\

photo: lancenet.com