On a night where, almost to perfection, they combined grit, technique, and tactical discipline, Flamengo, cheered by more than 68 fans, defeated São Paulo 1-0 at Maracanã in a Brazilian Championship match. The winning goal was scored by Ibson early in the second half.

With this result, the club reached 40 points, is increasingly looking away from the uncomfortable relegation zone and increasingly closer to the possibility of qualifying for a South American competition in 2008.

Playing in front of the largest crowd in the Brasileirão, Flamengo took the initiative and incessantly attacked São Paulo in the first 10 minutes. In the biggest chance created in this period, Souza fed Juan on the left, who crossed to Maxi, who finished by squaring off with the opposing defense and the ball went out for a corner.

After the initial pressure, São Paulo managed to calm the game and, although they didn't create any chances to open the scoring, they broke the red-and-black's momentum and began to have more possession. Even so, Flamengo almost scored in the 28th minute, with a shot from Cristian that hit the crossbar, in the 32nd minute, with a cross shot from Ibson, and in the 34th minute, with another shot from Cristian, after a beautiful one-two with Maxi.

The Brazilian league leader only threatened in the 45th minute, when Borges was released into the area and, already at an angle, shot straight at Bruno, who came out well and sent the ball out for a corner.

The second half started at a slow pace and Flamengo had the merit of taking advantage of a rare moment in the competition: in the 4th minute, São Paulo's defense clashed, Ibson took advantage, picked up the rebound and skillfully passed the ball past Rogério Ceni.

The goal thrilled the fans and the team, who soon had two more good opportunities to extend their lead: in the 8th minute, Maxi received a pass from Ibson on the right, entered the box, and, with his left foot, ended up shooting poorly, into the hands of Rogério. Four minutes later, Léo Moura crossed for Souza, but the striker missed the target by a wide margin.

After more than 20 minutes of intense fighting in the middle and no good chances created by either side, the game picked up pace after the half-hour mark. In the 31st minute, Souza was released, and Rogério Ceni stepped up as a defender, preventing the striker from finishing. Eight minutes later, Jorge Vagner took a dangerous free kick, and Bruno sent it out for a corner.

At 42, São Paulo's biggest opportunity: Jorge Vagner took a corner, Aloísio headed, Bruno made a great save, the ball hit the post and bounced close to the goal line, but didn't go in and the referee was right not to point to the center of the field.

The league leader still tried to apply pressure at the end of the match, but, well positioned on the field and supported incessantly off it, Flamengo defended well, waited for time to pass and celebrated with the fans after the final whistle.

FLAMENGO 1 x 0 SAO PAULO

Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Referee: Sérgio da Silva Carvalho (DF)\ Revenue / attendance: R$ 878.669,00 / 59.098 paying spectators\ Yellow cards: Leandro, Jadílson (SP); Souza, Maxi (FLA)\ GOAL: Ibson, 4 minutes into the second half.\

FLAMENGO\ Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Romulo, Jailton, Cristian and Ibson (Leo Medeiros); Maxi (Roger) and Souza.\ Coach: Joel Santana.\

SAO PAULO\ Rogério Ceni, Breno, Alex Silva and André Dias; Leandro, Ze Luis (Fernando), Richarlyson, Jorge Wagner and Jadilson (Diego Tardelli); Borges and Dagoberto (Aloísio). Coach: Muricy Ramalho.\