Flamengo played strong football, defeating Madureira 4-2 this Wednesday at Edson Passos Stadium. The result left the red-and-black team provisionally leading Group B of the Rio Cup with ten points, one ahead of Botafogo, who face Americano later this Wednesday at Engenhão Stadium. Josiel, with three goals, was the standout performer of the match. Juan sealed the rout with a penalty kick late in the second half.

Flamengo started the match with Toró and Erick Flores in the starting lineup. This meant that practically the entire midfield was formed from the club's youth academy, with Ibson and Airton completing the midfield. Two minutes in, Zé Roberto made a good run down the left, creating Flamengo's first significant chance of the match.

In the sixth minute, Everton Silva advanced down the right and crossed for Josiel to head in. Renan made a confident save. The red-and-blacks were dominating the match, and a goal was only a matter of time. In the 18th minute, Juan tried a shot from outside the box, and Renan made another fine save, saving Madureira. Seven minutes later, the number 6 received the ball from Zé Roberto on the left and sent a cross-shot. Madureira's number 1 made a great save.

In the 26th minute, Erick Flores made a beautiful play down the left and crossed perfectly for Josiel to head in: 1-0 Flamengo. Three minutes later, the red-and-black duo worked again. In another beautiful play by Erick Flores, Josiel received the ball unmarked in the penalty area and simply tapped it into the goal: 2-0 Flamengo.

Madureira scored its first goal in the 41st minute. Bruno received the ball at the edge of the box and shot into the left corner to make it 2-1 against Edson Passos. Flamengo responded two minutes later. After a fumble by the Madureira defense, Josiel scored his third goal of the match, making it 3-1 Flamengo. It was the striker's ninth goal in the Campeonato Carioca.

The second half began with Flamengo pressing. Just five minutes in, Josiel received a pass from Everton Silva and missed a great chance in front of Renan. Four minutes later, Jones took a powerful free kick, and Bruno saved.

In the 13th minute, Cuca took off Erick Flores and brought on Jônatas. In the 22nd minute, Luiz Cláudio received the ball in the penalty area and shot over Bruno's goal. Soon after, Cuca made another change, bringing on Kleberson in place of Toró.

In the 26th minute, Juan delivered a good pass to Josiel, who missed a great chance to score his fourth goal of the match. Three minutes later, after a rebound in Flamengo's penalty area, Alex Alves scored for Madureira: 3-2.

In the 33rd minute, Maxi came on for Zé Roberto. Five minutes after coming on, the Argentine made a good run down the right and crossed into the box. Eduardo Luiz handled the ball, and referee Rodrigo Nunes de Sá awarded a penalty. Juan converted the penalty with skill and sealed the score: 4-2 Flamengo.

In the next round, Flamengo faces Resende, on Saturday, at Engenhão.

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET: MADUREIRA 2 X 4 FLAMENGO

Stadium: Giulite Coutinho, Mesquita (RJ)\ Date/time: 25/03/2009 - 16:59.465,00 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Referee: Rodrigo Nunes de Sá (RJ)\ Assistants: Rodrigo Pereira Joia (RJ) and Eduardo de Souza Couto (RJ)\ Revenue/attendance: R$ 3.962 / 48 paying spectators\ Yellow cards: Ricardo, Amarildo, Wagner (MAD); Toró, Everton Silva (FLA)\ Red cards: Ricardo, 2'/26nd half (MAD)\ GOALS: Josiel, 1'/0st half (1-29); Josiel, 1'/0st half (2-41); Bruno, 1'/1st half (2-43); Josiel, 1'/1st half (3-29); Alex Alves, 2'/2nd T (3-37); Juan, 2'/2nd T (4-XNUMX). \

MADUREIRA: Renan, Claudemir, Ricardo, Eduardo Luiz and Amarildo, Wagner (Warley, 31'/2nd half), Paulo Victor, Abedi (Luiz Cláudio, half-time) and Bruno; Alex Alves and Jones (Adriano Felício, 21'/2nd half). Coach: Róbson Gabriel.

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Everton Silva, Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Aírton, Toró (Kleberson, 27'/2nd half), Ibson and Erick Flores (Jonatas, 13'/2nd half); Ze Roberto (Maxi, 33'/2nd half) and Josiel. Coach: Cuca.\ \