In the battle for the Rio de Janeiro title, Flamengo took the lead with a 1-0 victory over Botafogo this Sunday afternoon at the Maracanã. Obina scored the winning goal in the 35th minute of the second half. The two teams face off next Sunday to decide who will win the Cup. Flamengo is playing for a draw.

The game was evenly matched from the opening minutes. With numerous fouls in midfield, both teams had little chance of scoring through Bruno and Renan. Botafogo had the first good chance of the match, with Lúcio Flávio taking a dangerous free kick.

The red-and-blacks' response came in the 26th minute, with Léo Moura finding Souza free inside the box. The striker fired a powerful shot, and Renan put it out for a corner.

Playing better, Flamengo began to create more chances. In one of them, Marcinho received a beautiful pass from Toró, shot across goal, and Renan saved another. The first half ended in a scoreless draw.

In the second half, Joel put the team ahead by bringing on Diego Tardelli in place of Kleberson. The Gávea team had the first chance with Souza in the second minute, but Renan made a beautiful save. In the fifth minute, Diguinho found Wellington Paulista in the box, and the striker headed just wide of the crossbar.

Botafogo threatened from set pieces. In the 18th minute, Lúcio Flávio crossed into the box, Fábio got there before Bruno, and the ball went over the goal. The match grew in excitement, and in the 21st minute, Marcinho forced Renan into another good save with a shot from outside the box.

In the 28th minute, Flamengo was relieved at the Maracanã stadium. Eduardo broke into the penalty area unmarked and, facing Bruno, hit the post. Seeking victory, Joel sent Obina in for Ibson, leaving Flamengo to play a highly offensive game with Souza, Tardelli, Marcinho, and Obina.

In the 35th minute, Léo Moura stole the ball in defense and delivered a beautiful pass to Diego Tardelli. The striker burst into the box from the right and passed it to Obina to score: 1-0 Flamengo.

With the majority in the stands, the red-black fans celebrated at Maracanã and celebrated Flamengo's advantage in the big decision.

The Gávea team turns its attention to the Libertadores, as it returns to the field on Wednesday to face América-MEX, in a round of 16 match.

MATCH SHEET\ FLAMENGO 1 X 0 BOTAFOGO\ Location: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Date - Time: 27/4/2008 - 16:1.333.455,50 PM (Brasília time)\ Referee: Gutemberg de Paula Fonseca (RJ)\ Income - Attendance: R$ 63.413 - 34 paying spectators\ Assistants: Ediney Guerreiro Mascarenhas (RJ) and Wagner de Almeida Santos (RJ)\ Yellow Cards: Diguinho, Renato Silva and Túlio Souza (BOT)\ Red Cards: None.\ GOALS: Obina, 2'/1nd half (0-31);\ FLAMENGO: Bruno, Léo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Coach: Joel Santana.\ BOTAFOGO: Renan, Renato Silva, Andre Luis and Leandro Guerreiro; Tulio Souza (Eduardo, 2'/36st Half), Diguinho, Tulio, Lucio Flavio and Ze Carlos (Edson, 2'/19nd Half); Wellington Paulista and Fabio (Adriano Felício, 1'/32nd Half). Coach: Cuca.\

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