Flamengo defeated Fluminense 1-0 early Sunday evening at the Maracanã stadium, maintaining its unbeaten run in the Brazilian Championship. The result put the red-and-black team in second place with 10 points. Leader Cruzeiro has the same number of points but leads on goal difference (seven to four). Léo Moura scored the winning goal in the second half, when Flamengo was a man down.

The first half was uneventful. The condition of the pitch made it difficult to create chances. Fluminense's first good chance fell in the 10th minute, when Dodô took a dangerous free kick. Bruno made a beautiful save.

Soon after, Marcinho had a chance to open the scoring. The midfielder capitalized on a Fabinho mistake, dribbled past Fernando Henrique, but hit the post. Fluminense remained deep, making things difficult for Souza, Diego Tardelli, and Marcinho.

Fluminense threatened again with David in the 16th minute, but Flamengo had the big chance of the first half. Léo Moura, in the 26th minute, made a great play down the right and crossed for Diego Tardelli. The striker set up Juan, who headed the ball into the corner. Fernando Henrique saved the Tricolor.

Flamengo returned for the second half to settle the match, but misplaced passes once again hampered the red-and-blacks. In the 20th minute, Dodô got there before Cristian and shot wide of the net.

In search of victory, Caio Júnior changed the lineup, bringing on Renato Augusto and Maxi in place of Jônatas and Marcinho. In the 23rd minute, Flamengo's situation became even more complicated. Diego Tardelli clashed with Mauricio and was sent off.

Even with 10 men, the Gávea team went on the attack. In the 28th minute, Juan took a free kick, and Fernando Henrique saved another. Seven minutes later, the Fluminense goalkeeper performed another miracle. Fábio Luciano received the ball from Maxi, controlled it with his chest, and shot hard, but Fluminense's number 1 cleared it for a corner.

Late in the match, Juan received a good pass from Obina and was brought down by Fernando Henrique in the box. Léo Moura took the penalty well, securing another three points for Flamengo. In the next round, Flamengo faces Figueirense on Saturday at Maracanã.

Fluminense: Fernando Henrique, Anderson, Sandro and Roger; Carlinhos (Leo Itaperuna), Fabinho, Romeu, Maurício (Alan), David (Marinho) and Dieguinho; Dodô. Coach: Renato Gaúcho.

Flamengo:\ Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Cristian, Jonathan (Renato Augusto), Toró and Marcinho (Maxi); Diego Tardelli and Souza (Obina).\ Coach: Caio Junior.\

Goals: Leonardo Moura, in the 42nd minute of the second half.\ Yellow cards: Dodô, Sandro, Maurício, Anderson, Fabinho (Flu); Souza, Toró, Marcinho, Leonardo Moura (Fla).\ Red card: Diego Tardelli (Fla).\ Attendance: 19.441 paying spectators. Revenue: R$259.126,00.\ Referee: Pericles Bassols (RJ). Assistant referees: Dilbert Pedrosa (Fifa-RJ) and Ricardo Ferreira (RJ).\

\