In a great match, Flamengo showed grit but couldn't avoid a 3-2 defeat to Cruzeiro this Sunday at Mineirão Stadium. Ibson and Obina scored Flamengo's goals, which dropped to fifth place in the Brazilian Championship with 63 points. The result of the match could have been different, as FIFA referee Carlos Eugênio Simon didn't award a scandalous penalty by Leo Fortunato on Diego Tardelli in the 45th minute of the second half.

The match started with a lively pace, with both teams constantly searching for a goal. Jajá, for Cruzeiro, and Ibson, for Flamengo, had the first scoring opportunities. Three minutes in, Simon took an indirect kick into the Flamengo box. The referee interpreted that Kleberson had passed back to Bruno. Juan cleared the ball for Flamengo.

Flamengo threatened again in the eighth minute. Marcelinho Paraíba crossed from the left and Ibson found the ball almost complete at the far post. In the 19th minute, Gérson Magrão fed Jajá, who missed a great chance in front of Bruno. Three minutes later, Jajá made a great play and hit Bruno's crossbar. Airton felt pain in his knee and had to be replaced by Toró.

In the 33rd minute, Cruzeiro opened the scoring. Ramires received the ball on the left and found Fernandinho free to score: 1-0 at Mineirão. The team from Gávea still had a chance to equalize in the final minutes, but Fábio held the result for the home team.

Flamengo returned for the second half with the same formation, but with much greater attacking impetus. After Ramires missed a great chance one-on-one with Bruno in the third minute, Flamengo began to control the game. In the ninth minute, Marcelinho Paraíba shot from the edge of the box, and Fábio cut it to the baseline. Marcelinho took the corner from the right, and Ibson rose to equalize with a header: 1-1.

Cruzeiro responded in the 18th minute. Fabrício charged down the middle and shot powerfully. Bruno made a beautiful save. A minute later, the red-and-black defense made a poor marking, and Thiago came in unmarked to break the deadlock: 2-1 Cruzeiro. Cruzeiro didn't feel the blow and equalized six minutes later. Juan received the ball from Ibson and crossed into the box for Obina. The striker turned on Leo Fortunato and scored into Fábio's right corner: 2-2 and a celebration for the red-and-black fans at Mineirão.

In the 28th minute, Léo Moura made a good play down the right and crossed to Juan, who, at the far post, fired wide. The game was fairly even, and the team from Minas Gerais scored in the 39th minute. Once again, Flamengo's defense was poorly defended, and Ramires burst into the box to score: 3-2 Cruzeiro.

Flamengo continued to fight and had a chance to equalize in the 42nd minute. Diego Tardelli dribbled past two defenders and shot into the right corner. Fábio stretched and made a great save. Three minutes later, Diego Tardelli burst into the box from the left and was brought down by Leo Fortunato. A clear penalty was ignored by Carlos Eugênio Simon. The striker was also sent off after complaining to the referee. Captain Fábio Luciano was also sent off after the match.

CREDITS:

CRUZEIRO 3 X 2 FLAMENGO

Location: Mineirão, Belo Horizonte (BH)\ Date/Time: 23/11/2008 - 17:516.976,50 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Referee: Carlos Eugênio Simon (Fifa-RS)\ Assistants: Roberto Braatz (Fifa-PR) and Erich Bandeira (PE)\ Revenue/Attendance: R$ 50.789 / 46 paying spectators\ Yellow cards: Ibson, Toró (Fla)\ Red cards: Diego Tardelli (2'/XNUMXnd half) and Fábio Luciano (after the end of the game)\

GOALS: Fernandinho, 32'/1st half (1-0); Ibson, 10'/2nd half (1-1); Thiago Ribeiro, 20'/2nd half (2-1); Obina, 25'/2nd half (2-2); Ramires, 40'/2nd half (3-2)

CRUZEIRO: Fabio, Jonathan (Elicarlos, 27' 2nd half), Leo Fortunato, Thiago Heleno and Fernandinho; Henrique, Marquinhos Paraná, Ramires and Gerson Magrão (Wanderley, 30' 2nd half); Jajá (Fabrício, 16' 2nd half) and Thiago Ribeiro. Coach: Adilson Batista

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Jailton, Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim; Leo Moura, Airton (Toró, 17' 1st half), Ibson, Kleberson and Juan (Luizinho, 32' 2nd half); Marcelinho Paraíba (Diego Tardelli, 20' 2nd half) and Obina. Coach: Caio Junior.