If winning titles requires overcoming obstacles, Flamengo is on the right track. Once again, the red-and-black team had to overcome a red-and-black expulsion to leave the field with three points in the Copa Libertadores, and they did it. With grit, and with top scorer Vagner Love inspired, the Red-and-Black team comfortably defeated Caracas 3-1 away from home.

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The number 9 scored twice, and Rodrigo Alvim sealed the victory in the second half. With this result, the team now has six points and leads the Copa Santander Libertadores Group. Next Wednesday, the red-and-blacks face second-place Universidad de Chile in Coquimbo.

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Pet returns well
In the first half, Petkovic's skill made the difference. Caracas had more possession, but Flamengo threatened on the counterattack. And just when the Venezuelan team seemed to be on the verge of scoring, having threatened in the 30th and 32nd minutes with talented midfielder Guerra, it was the team from Gávea who opened the scoring.

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In the 34th minute, Pet, who had been the team's brains until that point, received a great cross from Leo Moura inside the Caracas box and fired a powerful shot toward goal. On the way, Romero handled the ball: a penalty was well awarded by the referee, and well taken by top scorer Vagner Love, into the right corner of Vega's net. The goal dismantled the home side, who went to the locker room dejected.

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Upon returning for the second half, however, Caracas revived their spirits. Just eight minutes in, Toró was sent off for a foul on Gabriel Cichero, and the Venezuelan team, spurred on by the packed crowd at the Olympic Stadium, launched an attack. With so much pressure, the home team soon equalized. The clock showed 20 minutes of the second half when Castellín received the ball in the box, dribbled past Álvaro, and struck powerfully to make it 1-1.

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Just love, just love
Coach Andrade, who had lost Fernando to injury (Alvim replaced him) and replaced Angelim with Petkovic to rebuild the defense after Toró's sending off, turned to the bench and lamented. Little did he know that the draw would last only nine minutes. Once again, Vagner Love's star would shine in red and black.

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A minute after leaving Kleberson face-to-face with goalkeeper Veja, the Love Gunner received the gift in return. While the midfielder squandered the chance to score, he made no mistake with the pinpoint pass that put Love one-on-one with goalkeeper Veja. It was the number 9's turn to make no mistake: he dribbled past the goalkeeper and simply tapped the ball into the back of the net, putting Flamengo back in front.

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But the party wasn't over yet. Alvim took the ball to the right in the final minute of the game, just to buy time, but noticed a little extra space, went for it, and scored the third. The final score was 3-1, and the red-and-blacks secured the lead in Group 8 of the Copa Santander Libertadores.

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CREDITS:
CARACAS (WIN) 1 X 3 FLAMENGO

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Stadium: Olympic, Caracas (VEN)
Date/Time: 10/3/2010 - 22:10 PM
Referee: Wilmar Roldán (COL)
Assistants: Eduardo Díaz and Rafael Díaz (COL)
Income/Audience: Not available

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CARACAS: Vega, Romero (Prieto, 10'/2nd T), Bustamante, Alejandro Cichero, Gabriel Cichero; Lucena, Jiménez, Gómez (Gonzales, 34'/2ºT), Guerra; Castellín (Aristeguieta, 32'/2nd Q) and Valoyes. Coach: Noel Sanvicente.

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FLAMENGO: Bruno, Léo Moura, Álvaro, Fabrício and Juan; Toró, Fernando (Rodrigo Alvim, 9'/2nd half), Kleberson and Petkovic (Ronaldo Angelim, 14'/2nd half); Vinícius Pacheco (Fierro, 36'/2nd half) and Vagner Love. Coach: Andrade.

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Yellow Cards: Valoyes, Romero (CAR), Toró, Bruno (FLA)
Red Cards: Toró, 8'/2nd half (FLA)

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GOALS: Vagner Love, 35'/2nd half (0-1); Castellín, 19'/2nd half (1-1); Vagner Love, 29'/2nd half (1-2); Rodrigo Alvim, 47'/2nd half (3-1)