Flamengo struggled, losing 2-1 this Wednesday at Maracanã. The result dropped the team from Gávea to eighth place in the Brazilian Championship with 15 points. Diego Souza and Ortigoza scored for the São Paulo team, and Adriano pulled one back for Flamengo. In the next round, Flamengo faces Botafogo on Sunday at Maracanã.

Palmeiras dominated the first half, creating the best chances and effectively marking the red-and-black attack. Just three minutes in, Danilo headed in a dangerous header. The red-and-black team threatened for the first time with Everton in the 20th minute, after a beautiful play down the left wing.

In the 23rd minute, Willians passed the ball back to Welinton, who was fouled by Ortigoza. Referee Leandro Vuaden didn't call it, and Diego Souza took advantage, shooting past Bruno: 1-0 Palmeiras. The opposing team threatened again in the 37th minute, with Diego Souza.

In the 43rd minute, Cleiton Xavier stole the ball from Kleberson in midfield and passed it to Ortigoza, who tapped it past Bruno: 2-0 Palmeiras.

Flamengo returned to second place and had the first good chance in the third minute. Everton made a beautiful play, burst into the box, and shot. Marcos stretched and made a good save, saving Palmeiras. In the 11th minute, Cuca brought on Fierro for Everton Silva.

In the 26th minute, Danilo tackled Adriano in the penalty area. Leandro Vuaden awarded the penalty. The Emperor scored with skill and reduced the deficit: 2-1 at the Maracanã. It was Adriano's sixth goal in the Brazilian Championship. Soon after, Cuca made another change to the team, taking off Léo Moura and bringing on Maxi.

In the 39th minute, Maxi made a beautiful run down the right and crossed for Zé Roberto, who headed in with style. Marcos jumped and made a great save. Three minutes later, Ronaldo Angelim crossed and Adriano headed dangerously just wide of Palmeiras' number 1's left post. It was Flamengo's last good chance of the match.

CREDITS:

FLAMENGO 1 X 2 PALMEIRAS

Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)

Date/time: 15/7/2009 - 21:50 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Referee: Leandro Pedro Vuadem (Fifa-RS)\ Assistants: Alessandro Álvaro Rocha de Matos (Fifa-BA) and Altemir Hausmann (RS)\ Revenue/attendance: R$ 411.567,00 / 22.861 paying spectators (25.357 present)\ Yellow cards: Welinton, Willians, Zé Roberto, Ronaldo Angelim and Everton (FLA); Pierre and Danilo (PAL)\ Red cards: -\

GOALS: Diego Souza, 24'/1st half (0-1); Ortigoza, 43'/1st half (0-2); Adriano, 26'/2nd half (1-2)

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Everton Silva (Fierro, 11'/2nd half), Welinton, and Ronaldo Angelim; Léo Moura (Maxi, 33'/2nd half), Willians, Kleberson, Zé Roberto (Camacho, 39'/2nd half) and Everton; Emerson and Adriano - Coach: Cuca.

PALMEIRAS: Marcos, Mauricio Ramos, Danilo and Edmílson (Sandro Silva, 16'/2nd half); Wendel, Pierre, Cleiton Xavier, Deyvid Sacconi (Fabinho Capixaba, 21'/2nd half) and Armero; Diego Souza and Ortigoza (Marcão, 39'/2nd half) - Coach: Jorginho.