Flamengo kept its dream of a sixth championship alive with a 1-0 victory over Botafogo this Sunday afternoon at Maracanã. Kleberson came on in the second half and scored the winning goal from the penalty spot. The result kept the red-and-black team from Gávea in fifth place in the Brazilian Championship, with 60 points, five behind leaders São Paulo.

The derby started with a lot of action. Before the first minute, Botafogo was already complaining about Bruno's missed penalty on Jorge Henrique. The red-and-blacks' first good chance of the match came in the 17th minute, when Marcelinho Paraíba took a risk from the edge of the box. With the game very tight in midfield, both teams struggled to create good scoring opportunities.

In the 20th minute, Triguinho capitalized on a defensive rebound and fired a powerful shot from the edge of the box. Bruno jumped beautifully and made a great save. Flamengo consistently threatened down the left flank, with Juan and Sambueza playing excellent one-twos.

In the 33rd minute, Ronaldo Angelim took advantage of Juan's cross and nearly opened the scoring with a header. Late in the first half, Fábio had a chance inside the box, but Bruno was alert and saved Flamengo.

In the second half, Caio Júnior changed his lineup, bringing on center forward Josiel for Argentine Maxi. Flamengo threatened after just three minutes, with Josiel missing a good chance. Botafogo responded in the 18th minute, with Lúcio Flávio taking a shot from outside the box. Soon after, Ibson received the ball from the edge of the box and shot hard, but Renan saved confidently.

In the 25th minute, Marcelinho took a corner kick and Ibson headed dangerously. A minute later, Carlos Alberto made a good run through the middle and shot from distance. Bruno made another fine save. In the 28th minute, Juan crossed from the left, but Ibson and Josiel couldn't reach the ball. Flamengo continued to press, and Fábio Luciano had another chance in the 30th minute. In the 35th minute, Juan felt pain and had to be replaced by Kleberson.

In the 37th minute, Ibson received a pass from Kleberson and was brought down by Renan in the penalty area. Referee Marcelo de Lima Henrique awarded the penalty. Kleberson fired into the right corner and scored: 1-0 Flamengo at Maracanã. Flamengo had a chance to extend their lead shortly after, again through Kleberson, but the game was already sealed for the team from Gávea.

In the next round, Flamengo faces Palmeiras, Sunday, at 17 pm, at Maracanã.

TECHNICAL SHEET:\ BOTAFOGO 0 X 1 FLAMENGO\

Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Time: 19:10 pm (Brasília time)\ Referee: Marcelo de Lima Henrique (RJ)\ Assistants: Ediney Mascarenhas (RJ) and Wágner de Almeida Santos (RJ)\ Income/public: Not available\ Yellow cards: Carlos Alberto, Diguinho, Renan, Andre Luis (BOT); Aírton, Juan, Sambueza (FLA)\ Red card: Eduardo (BOT), 46'/2nd half)\

GOALS: Kleberson, 38'/2nd half (0-1)

BOTAFOGO: Renan, Thiaguinho (Fabio, 27'/1st half), Renato Silva, Andre Luis and Triguinho; Leandro Guerreiro (Lucas Silva, 41'/2nd half), Tulio, Diguinho (Eduardo, 44'/2nd half), Lucio Flavio and Carlos Alberto; Jorge Henrique. Coach: Ney Franco.

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Jailton, Fabio Luciano and Ronaldo Angelim; Luizinho, Airton, Ibson, Sambueza and Juan (Kleberson, 34'/2nd half); Marcelinho Paraíba (Fierro, 28'/2nd half) and Maxi (Josiel, half-time). Coach: Caio Junior.