After two consecutive victories at Maracanã, Flamengo felt the absence of full-backs Juan and Léo Moura and midfielder Roger, as well as Souza and Renato Augusto, and was defeated 2-1 by Palmeiras, at Parque Antartica, on Sunday afternoon, in the twentieth round of the Brazilian Championship.

The red-and-black goal was scored by striker Paulo Sérgio, and Palmeiras' Caio and Gustavo sealed the victory. With three games in hand, Flamengo returns to the field this Thursday to face Juventude at Maracanã, a postponed match still part of the first round of the competition.

The first half was played at a blistering pace, but both teams' creative teams, despite their efforts, failed to create significant opportunities. So much so that, until the 13th minute, when Palmeiras opened the scoring, nothing particularly dangerous had occurred in the match.

Palmeiras' goal came from a baseline move: Luiz Henrique received the ball on the left wing and, just inside the box, crossed for Caio to score. Flamengo's response was immediate: two minutes later, Ibson passed to Max in the box, and, also from the baseline, the Argentine crossed for Paulo Sérgio to equalize: 1-1.

After the goal, Flamengo created two more good chances, with shots from Ibson and Paulo Sérgio. Palmeiras only threatened in the 36th minute, with a beautiful shot from Pierre, which Bruno palmed away for a corner.

The second half began with the same characteristics as the first, and Palmeiras' second goal was also the first dangerous play: after a corner kick, Luisinho lost the ball while trying to play out, defender Dininho crossed from the baseline, from the right, and Gustavo, his defensive partner, completed it into the back of the net.

Flamengo fought back and nearly equalized in the 12th minute, with a free kick from left-back Egídio that Diego palmed out for a corner. The game's tempo slowed, and both teams began to threaten only with long shots.

Palmeiras threatened with a shot from right-back Paulo Sérgio, who came out to Bruno's right, and Fla, who still tried to press with the entries of Obina and Toró, threatened with two shots from Ibson and one from Toró, but were unable to avoid defeat at Parque Antártica.

PALMEIRAS 2 x 1 FLAMENGO

Date: 19/08/2007\ Stadium: Paeque Antártica, in São Paulo (SP)\ Income / Attendance: R$ 391.400,00 / 23.550 paying spectators\ Referee: Heber Roberto Lopes (PR)\ Assistants: Aparecido Santana (PR) and José Amilton Pontarolo (PR)\ Yellow Cards: Pierre and Edmundo (PAL) and Egídio, Paulo Sérgio and Fábio Luciano (FLA)\ Goals: Caio, at 13, and Paulo Sérgio, at 15 minutes of the first half. Gustavo, at 7 minutes of the second half.\

Palmeiras\ Diego Cavalieri, Paulo Sergio, Gustavo, Dininho and Leandro; Francis, Pierre, Martinez and Caio (William); Edmundo (Max) and Luiz Henrique (Rodrigão).\

Flamengo\ Bruno, Luisinho, Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Egidio; Romulo, Cristian, Ibson and Leo Lima (Obina); Maxi and Paulo Sergio (Toró)\