Flamengo took a big step towards securing a spot in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores by beating América-MEX 4-2 early this Wednesday evening at the Azteca Stadium in the Mexican capital. Marcinho (2), Diego Tardelli and Léo Moura scored the goals in the red-black victory.

The Gávea team took to the field with Luizinho and Jailton, replacing Toró and Léo Moura. Despite playing away from home, Flamengo went all out against América-MEX. The first good chance for Flamengo fell to Marcinho, two minutes in, with a dangerous header from the penalty area.

The game was fiercely contested, and Flamengo threatened again in the 20th minute. After a corner kick from Luizinho, Souza headed the ball, and it fell to Kléberson. The midfielder fired a powerful shot, but it bounced off Cervantes. A minute later, Villa fired a long-range shot, forcing Bruno to make a good save.

In the 36th minute, goalkeeper Bruno was called into action again after a shot from outside the box by Cervantes. In the 43rd minute, Flamengo opened the scoring in Mexico. Marcinho received a pass from Bruno, dribbled past Sebá Dominguez, and fired home Ochoa's goal: 1-0 Flamengo.

Flamengo's lead lasted just two minutes. Mosquero crossed, Cervantes got ahead of Fábio Luciano and headed it past Bruno, leaving him with no chance: 1-1.

In the second half, Joel made changes to the red-and-black team, replacing Souza with Obina and Juan with Léo Moura. With the changes, Luizinho moved to left-back.

The match resumed with América-MEX creating some threats with shots from outside the box. Flamengo responded in the third minute. Ibson fired a shot from the edge of the box, and goalkeeper Ochoa palmed it away for a corner. The team from Gávea dominated the match and had another good chance in the 12th minute. Luizinho made a good play and crossed for Obina. The striker fired a powerful shot, but Ochoa struggled to save.

In the 14th minute, Cervantes headed the ball unmarked in the penalty area, but Léo Moura saved it on the line. Four minutes later, Léo Moura dribbled past two opponents, burst into the box, but hit the post. Obina missed two good opportunities in the 19th and 20th minutes.

In the 24th minute, Marcinho received a beautiful pass from Obina and shot across goal, leaving Ochoa with no chance: 2-1 Flamengo. Just like in the first half, Flamengo conceded the equalizer two minutes later. Cabañas recovered a loose ball on the byline and crossed for Mosqueda, who was free, to finish into the goal: 2-2.

Despite conceding the equalizer, coach Joel Santana replaced Cristian with Diego Tardelli. In the 42nd minute, Flamengo celebrated in Mexico. Obina's shot from the edge of the box hit the post. From the rebound, Léo Moura crossed for Diego Tardelli to tap in: 3-2 Flamengo. In the 47th minute, Léo Moura played a one-two with Ibson, but the ball chipped over goalkeeper Ochoa: 4-2 Flamengo.

The red-and-black team will face América-MEX again next Wednesday at 21:50 p.m. at the Maracanã. Before that, the team from Gávea will decide the Campeonato Carioca on Sunday at 16 p.m. against Botafogo at the Maracanã.

MATCH SHEET:\ AMERICA (MEX) 2 X 4 FLAMENGO\ Stadium: Azteca, Mexico City (MEX)\ Date/Time: 30/04/2008 - 19:45pm (Brasília time)\ Referee: Carlos Chandia (Fifa-CHI)\ Yellow cards: Villa, Esqueda (AME), Jaílton, Fábio Luciano and Bruno (FLA)\ Red cards: None\ GOALS: Marcinho, 43'/1st H (0-1); Cervantes, 45'/1st H (1-1); Marcinho, 24'/2nd H (1-2); Esqueda, 26'/2nd H (2-2); Diego Tardelli, 42'/2nd H (2-3); Leonardo Moura, 47'/2nd H (2-4).\ AMERICA-MEX: . Coach: Ruben Romaño.\ FLAMENGO: Bruno, Luizinho, Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan (Leonardo Moura, half-time); Jaílton, Cristian (Diego Tardelli, 36'/2nd half), Ibson and Kleberson; Marcinho and Souza (Obina, half-time). Coach: Joel Santana.\

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