With a strong performance, Flamengo gave Vasco no chance and won the derby 3-1 this Sunday night at Maracanã. The red-and-black team maintained its undisputed lead in the Brazilian Championship with 26 points, five ahead of second-place Cruzeiro. Ibson, Fábio Luciano, and Cristian scored Flamengo's goals. In the Maracanã's Grandstand, presidents Márcio Braga and Roberto Dinamite watched the match side by side.

On the field, the Gávea team launched into attack in the opening minutes. Always attacking down the wings, Flamengo scored their first goal in the ninth minute. Juan burst into the box from the left and was brought down by Wagner Diniz. Ibson skillfully converted the penalty kick and opened the scoring at the Maracanã: 1-0 Flamengo.

Well-armed in defense, with Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim, and Airton, Flamengo managed to contain Vasco's advances. Dominating the game, coach Caio Junior's team extended their lead in the 37th minute, with Fábio Luciano capitalizing on a mistake by Vasco's defense: 2-0 Flamengo.

With the advantage on the scoreboard, the red-and-black fans celebrated in the stands at Maracanã. At the end of the first half, Léo Moura felt pain in his right thigh and was replaced by Luizinho.

Vasco had the first good chance of the second half. Leandro Amaral took a dangerous free kick in the 12th minute. Six minutes later, Cristian hit a beautiful shot from outside the box to make it 3-0 for Flamengo.

After the third goal, the Gávea team began to pass the ball around and let time run out. In the 35th minute, Leandro Amaral's long-range shot hit Bruno's post. Four minutes later, Alex Teixeira pulled one back for Vasco, but the red-and-black celebration was already guaranteed.

In the next round, Flamengo faces Coritiba, on Thursday, at Couto Pereira.

CREDITS:

FLAMENGO 3 X 1 VASCO

Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Date/time: 7/13/2008 - 18:10 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Referee: Djalma José Beltrami (Fifa-RJ)\ Assistants: Hilton Moutinho Rodrigues (Fifa-RJ) and Dibert Pedrosa Moisés (Fifa-RJ)\ Revenue/attendance: R$ 1.153.029,00 / 63.611 paying spectators\

Yellow cards: Cristian, Fabio Luciano (FLA); Beto (VAS)\ Red cards: - \ GOALS: Ibson, 9'/1st half (1-0); Fabio Luciano, 37'/1st half (2-0); Cristian, 18'/2nd half (3-0); Alex Teixeira, 39'/2nd half (3-1)\

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Leonardo Moura (Luizinho, 40'/1st half), Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Aírton, Cristian, Jônatas (Diego, 26'/2nd half) and Ibson; Marcinho (Obina, 32'/2nd half) and Souza. Coach: Caio Junior.

VASCO: Tiago, Eduardo Luiz, Rodrigo Antonio and Luizão; Wagner Diniz (Marcus Vinicius, 22'/2nd half), Jonílson, Beto (Vinicius, half-time), Jean (Alex Teixeira, 30'/2nd half) and Pablo; Leandro Amaral and Edmundo. Coach: Antonio Lopes.

Photo: lancenet.com.br