Playing well enough to win, Flamengo defeated Mesquita 2-0 this Wednesday night at Maracanã. With the result, the team from Gávea reached nine points in three games and remained atop Group A of the Taça Rio.

With a highly offensive strategy, Flamengo quickly launched into attack. Five minutes in, Maxi threatened, capitalizing on a rebound in the penalty area. Giving their opponent no chance, Flamengo opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Luizinho went to the byline and crossed for Souza, who shot past the goalkeeper.

Even with absolute control of the game, the red-and-black team struggled with a number of misplaced passes and refereeing errors. In the 36th minute, Juan passed to Diego Tardelli, who fired a powerful shot that was saved by Diogo Silva. Five minutes later, Cristian took a shot from outside the box, but the Mesquita goalkeeper saved again, the last dangerous play of the first half.

In the second half, just four minutes in, Maxi passed to Diego Tardelli, who missed another chance. In the ninth minute, Luizinho crossed to Souza, who couldn't quite get the ball home. A minute later, Juan crossed, and Mesquita defender Vagner Eugênio headed the ball into his own net: 2-0 Flamengo.

Coach Joel Santana decided to make some changes to his team, bringing on number 10 Renato Augusto in place of Maxi. Soon after coming on, Renato Augusto threatened with a powerful shot from outside the box.

In the 36th minute, Ibson made a beautiful play, dribbling past two opponents before shooting, which Diogo saved. Late in the match, Renato Augusto twice threatened. First, he shot just wide of the right post, and then, making a great individual play, before shooting, which the Mesquita goalkeeper saved again.

In the next round, Flamengo faces Botafogo, on Sunday, at Maracanã.

MATCH SHEET:\ FLAMENGO 2 x 0 MESQUITA\ Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Date/time: 12/03/2008 - 19:30pm (Brasília time)\ Referee: André Luis Paes Ramos\ Assistants: Antonio Marcos Leme Machado and Lilian da Silva Fernandes Bruno\ Revenue/attendance: Will be announced after the game between Fluminense and Resende, as, on Wednesday, Maracanã hosted a double round.\ Yellow cards: Léo (MES), Ronaldo Angelim (FLA)\ Red cards:\ GOALS: Souza, 13'/1st half; Vágner (own goal), 10'/2nd half\ FLAMENGO: Bruno, Luizinho (Gavilán - 38'/2nd half), Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Cristian, Kleberson and Ibson; Maxi (Renato Augusto - 11'/2nd half), Diego Tardelli (Obina - 29'/2nd half) and Souza - Coach: Joel Santana.\ MESQUITA: Diogo, Édson, Juan, Vágner and Felipinho (Dedeco - 34'/2nd half); Leo, Dé, Índio and Fábio Costa (Bruno Suzano - 14'/2nd half); Leandro and Marcio Orelha (Bruno Carvalho - 17'/2nd half) - Coach: Mário Marques.\

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