Playing at Aflitos Stadium in Recife, Flamengo overcame Náutico and won 2-0 this Saturday in a match valid for the 28th round of the Brazilian Championship. The victory kept the red-and-black team in fourth place in the Brasileirão, with 49 points, and in the fight for a sixth championship title.

In the first half, Flamengo pressed and created the best chances. Just two minutes in, Marcelinho Paraíba took a free kick, and Eduardo palmed it out for a corner. In the 16th minute, Vandinho received the ball from Marcelinho and was brought down by Eduardo inside the box. Sálvio Spinola awarded the penalty. Marcelinho converted the ball well, putting Flamengo ahead: 1-0 in Recife.

Six minutes later, Náutico's defense faltered, and Vandinho nearly capitalized to extend the lead. With the Gávea team well-organized in defense, with Toró playing a strong game, the Pernambuco team struggled to penetrate the red-and-black defense.

In the 40th minute, Vandinho won the battle with Hamilton in the penalty area and fired a powerful shot, but Eduardo saved the Náutico team. The first half ended 1-0 for the Rio de Janeiro club.

In the second half, Flamengo slowed down, and Náutico grew into the game. In the 10th minute, Felipe received a pass from Adriano and fired a dangerous shot just wide of Bruno's post. The Pernambuco team threatened again ten minutes later. Derley tried a shot from the edge of the box, scaring Bruno.

Caio Júnior made changes to his team, taking off Toró and Marcelinho Paraíba and bringing on Airton and Obina. In the 25th minute, Clodoaldo had a chance in the six-yard box, but Bruno was alert and saved another one.

On a counterattack in the 30th minute, Vandinho burst into the box and shot over Eduardo's goal. Eleven minutes later, Flamengo decided the match. Léo Moura tried a shot from outside the box and scored a stunning goal, into Eduardo's right corner: 2-0 Flamengo.

In the 46th minute, Felipe had a chance to reduce the deficit from the penalty spot, but his shot went wide of Bruno's left post. The red-and-black celebration in Recife was guaranteed.

In the next round, Flamengo hosts Atlético-MG, on Saturday, at Maracanã, with the presence of the red-black nation.

NAUTICO 0 X 2 FLAMENGO

Stadium: Aflitos, Recife (PE)\ Date/time: 04/10/2008 - 18:20 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Referee: Sálvio Spínola Fagundes (Fifa-SP)\ Assistants: Alessandro Álvaro Rocha de Matos (Fifa-BA) and Milton Otaviano dos Santos (Fifa-RN)\

Income/attendance: R$ 130.345,00 / 18.001 paying spectators\ Yellow cards: Eduardo, Valdeir, Clodoaldo, Vagner (NAU), Juan, Bruno, Vandinho and Fábio Luciano (FLA)\ GOALS: Marcelinho Paraíba, 16'/1st half (0-1) and Leonardo Moura, 41'/2nd half (0-2)\

NAUTICO: Eduardo, Ruy, Vágner, Everaldo and Alessandro; Hamilton, Paulo Santos (William, 15'/2nd half), Adriano and Valdeir (Derley, half-time); Clodoaldo and Kuki (Felipe, half-time). Coach: Roberto Fernandes.

Coach: Caio Junior.