With a heavily modified lineup, Fluminense defeated Flamengo 4-1 this Sunday night at Maracanã. Despite the loss, the team from Gávea maintained first place in Group A of the Campeonato Carioca. In the semifinals, Flamengo faces Vasco on Sunday, the 17th, at 16 pm at Maracanã.

The first half started without much excitement. Thiago Neves was the most dangerous Tricolor player on the field. Diego Tardelli and Obina had chances, but were denied by goalkeeper Fernando Henrique.

In the 31st minute, Diego Tardelli, the best Rubro-Negro player on the field, nearly opened the scoring with a beautiful play, but Fernando Henrique saved again. In the 44th minute, Thiago Neves dribbled past Luizinho and shot dangerously.

During halftime, a heavy downpour hit the Maracanã stadium. The rain caused a power outage and delayed the restart. In the stands, the red-and-black fans celebrated.

The rain forced the red-black team to go all out on the field, and right at the start of the second half, Kleberson hit a beautiful shot and scored his first goal with the Flamengo shirt.

Soon after, Thiago Neves took a free kick, and goalkeeper Diego accepted it. Obina responded, but the ball wouldn't go in. In the 28th minute, Thiago Neves turned the game around, again with a free kick.

Flamengo didn't have the strength to react and Fluminense still extended their lead in the 33rd and 41st minutes, with Thiago Neves and Mauricio.

FLAMENGO 1 X 4 FLUMINENSE\ Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Date/time: 10/2/2008 - 18:10pm (Brasília time)\ Referee: José Batista de Arruda (RJ)\ Assistants: Jackson Lourenço Massara dos Santos (RJ) and Marcelo Fonseca Duarte (RJ)\ Revenue/attendance: R$ 630.691,00 /39.056 paying spectators\ Yellow cards: Cristian, Colace, Léo Medeiros, Diego Tardelli, Marcinho and Thiago Salles (FLA); Arouca, Gustavo Nery and Romeu (FLU)\ GOALS: Kleberson, 4'/2nd half (1-0); Thiago Neves, 7'/2nd half (1-1); Thiago Neves, 27'/2nd half (1-2); Coach: Joel Santana.