Flamengo thrashed América 4-0 this Carnival Saturday at Engenhão Stadium. With the victory, Flamengo maintained its lead in Group A of the Campeonato Carioca, with 15 points, four ahead of second-place Fluminense. Striker Obina came on in the second half and scored three goals, helping Flamengo maintain its unbeaten run in the Championship.

The game started without many chances for either team. With the intense heat at Engenhão, both teams' rhythm was slow. The first chance to score came only in the 20th minute, from Ibson. América responded shortly after with a weak finish from Eraldo.

In the 33rd minute, Ronaldo Angelim almost opened the scoring, finishing powerfully at goalkeeper Fábio Carvalho's goal.

Flamengo upped the tempo and nearly scored the first goal with Juan, followed shortly after by Lêo Moura. Late in the first half, assistant Vinícius Nascimento made a mistake, disallowing a legitimate goal by striker Souza.

In the second half, Joel brought on Obina for Marcinho. The forward's introduction improved the team's momentum, and Flamengo began creating numerous chances. In the seventh minute, Ibson made a good play and fired a powerful shot that goalkeeper Fábio saved. Soon after, Obina and Léo Moura played a beautiful one-two, but the ball refused to go in.

In the 13th minute, América's Jefinho committed a hard foul and received a red card. Shortly after the red-and-blacks were sent off, Joel Santana pushed the red-and-blacks forward, taking off midfielder Jaílton and sending on Argentine Maxi.

Flamengo pressed, and Toró missed a great chance in the box. A few minutes later, Obina broke free into the box and fired a cross-shot, but the ball bounced off the post.

Fábio Luciano committed a hard foul and received his second yellow card, leaving both teams with 10 men.

In the 33rd minute, Flamengo came to a relief. Léo Moura crossed and Obina tapped the ball into the net, scoring his first goal in the Campeonato Carioca. Five minutes later, Juan fired a powerful shot from outside the box to make it 2-0 for Flamengo.

Flamengo didn't slow down, and Obina shone late in the game. The striker scored the third in the 43rd minute with a beautiful shot from the edge of the box. A minute later, he sealed the victory by connecting on a cross from the left by Juan.

In the next round, Flamengo returns to the field to face Volta Redonda, on Thursday, at Maracanã.

TECHNICAL SHEET:\ AMÉRICA 0 X 4 FLAMENGO\

Stadium: Engenhão, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Date/time: 2/2/2008 - 16:227.610,00 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Referee: Rodrigo Nunes de Sá (RJ)\ Assistants: Ronaldo Cristino Kenupp (RJ) and Vinícius da Vitória Nascimento (RJ)\ Revenue/attendance: R$ 15.469 / 16 paying spectators\ Yellow cards: Éverton, Jeffinho, Elvis, Válber, Maciel (AME); Toró, Fábio Luciano (FLA).\ Red cards: Jeffinho, 2?/33H; Elvis, 2?/23H (AME); Fábio Luciano, 2?/31H (FLA).\ GOALS: Obina, 2?/0H (1-38); Juan, 2?/0H (2-43); Obina, 2?/0H (3-45); Coach: Gaúcho.

\