It was tougher than the fans expected. But even down 12 minutes into the second half, when Leonardo Moura was sent off, Flamengo managed to beat Americano 3-2 this Wednesday at Maracanã. The Empire of Love returned, and with goals from Adriano (penalty), Fernando, and Vagner Love—the latter a stunning goal, complete with a one-two with the Emperor—the team secured its fourth win in four Guanabara Cup matches.

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The match wasn't a technical masterpiece, and Flamengo didn't put on a great performance, but they got what mattered: the victory. To achieve this, they had to sweat a lot after a quiet first half. The result only began to materialize late in the first half, in the 40th minute, when Adriano was brought down in the box. A penalty, which the Emperor took with traditional skill, opened the scoring. And, even before halftime, Flamengo extended their lead. In the 50th minute, Pet took a corner kick, and after a rebound, the ball fell to Fernando, who scored the second.

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Everything seemed to be heading for a comfortable victory, but the match took on dramatic overtones in the second half. All because in the 12th minute, right-back Leonardo Moura was sent off for a complaint. Americano then found itself forced to seek an equalizer, especially given its recent poor record in the competition. And in the 33rd minute, with a penalty kick from Diego Salles, the Campos team managed to reduce the red-and-black's lead. But the celebration was short-lived. Very short.

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Right from the kickoff, the Red-Black Nation got a taste of what Adriano and Vagner Love can do together. It took just four touches and both center forwards to settle the game. Adriano passed the ball to Love, who turned in midfield and passed it back to the Emperor. The number 10 passed it to the number 9, who passed it back to the number 10, who left the number 9 facing the goal: then, all it took was the coolness and skill of a goalscorer for Vagner Love to score Flamengo's third. In the 46th minute, Itacaré finished a cross from the right and pulled one back for Americano, but the red-black celebration was already guaranteed.

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FLAMENGO 3 x 2 AMERICANO

Stadium: Maracanã
Date: 27 / 01 / 2010
Referee: William de Souza Nery (RJ)
Assistants: Hilton Moutinho (RJ) and Luiz Felipe Scofield (RJ)

Flamengo: Bruno, Léo Moura, Álvaro, Ronaldo Angeli and Juan; Toró, Fernando, Kleberson (Lenon) and Petkovic (Fierro); Vagner Love and Adriano. Coach: Andrade 
American: Wender, Olioza (Dudé), Elson, Leandro Dias and Leandro Leite; Cirilo (Rafinha), Itacaré, Jader and Zambi (Patric); Diego Sales and Edinho. Coach: Heron Ferreira

Goals: Adriano, at 40, and Fernando, at 50 minutes of the first half; Diego Sales, at 35, Vagner Love, at 36, and Itacaré, at 46 minutes of the second half
Yellow cards: Léo Moura (Flamengo); Olioza, Leandro Leite and Jader (Americano)
Red card: Léo Moura (Flamengo)