Flamengo needed only an inspired second half to get off to a flying start in the Taça Rio. With two goals from Vagner Love and two from Vinícius Pacheco, three of which came in the second half, coach Andrade's team thrashed Macaé 4-1 in Volta Redonda. The result guarantees the Red-Blacks first place in their group based on goal difference, and makes Love the competition's top scorer with eight goals.

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Despite the doubts, coach Andrade fielded his team as planned. Fernando replaced Kleberson, and Bruno Mezenga replaced Adriano. But in the first 45 minutes, Flamengo struggled under Macaé's intense man-to-man marking. So much so that the only way to break through Flamengo's defense was with a penalty. And this time, Love didn't hesitate: he struck powerfully, right in the middle of the goal, to open the scoring. However, the lead lasted only ten minutes. Having gained the upper hand, Macaé continued to attack and was rewarded in the 39th minute. Laio headed in a corner kick to equalize in the first half.

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Unhappy with the result, the red-and-black coach decided to make changes to the team right at halftime. Fierro came on for Bruno Mezenga, effectively injecting more creativity into the red-and-black midfield. Proof of this is that, in the 14th minute, the inspired Vagner Love was fouled at the edge of the box, shot quickly, and left Vinícius Pacheco face-to-face with the goal. The number 22 showed his ease, like a true center forward, to score the second.

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So, it was only a matter of time before a rout was made. Debutant Ramón, for example, didn't even need a minute to shine on his debut. With his first touch, he exchanged passes with Vagner Love, leaving the "Artilheiro do Amor" (Love's Gunner) free inside the box, before firing a shot past the Macaé goalkeeper to make it three in the 21st minute. Six minutes later, Vinícius Pacheco unleashed a beautiful shot from outside the box, securing the Rubro-Negro's first points in the Taça Rio in style: 4-1, the final score.

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CREDITS:
MACAÉ 1 X 4 FLAMENGO

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Stadium: Raulino de Oliveira, Volta Redonda (RJ)
Date/time: 27/2/2010 - 19:30 p.m.
Referee: João Batista de Arruda (RJ)
Assistants: Marçal Rodrigues Mendes (RJ) and José Carlos Batista de Arruda (RJ)
Income/audience: R$ 35.530,00 - 1489 paying spectators

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Yellow cards: Gedeil, André, Bill, Norton (MAC); Léo Moura, Vinícius Pacheco, Fabrício (FLA)
Red cards: None
GOALS: Vagner Love, 28'/1st half (0-1); Laio, 38'/1st half (1-1); Vinícius Pacheco, 13'/2nd half (1-2); Vagner Love, 20'/2nd half (1-3); Vinícius Pacheco, 25'/2nd half (1-4)

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MACAÉ: Jefferson, Fred, André, Otávio and Bill; Gedeil (Léo Santos, 27'/2nd half), Marciel, André Gomes and Norton; Laio (Raphael Aguiar, 27'/2nd half) and Cléber Oliveira. Coach: Toninho Andrade.

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FLAMENGO: Bruno, Léo Moura, David, Fabrício and Juan (Rodrigo Alvim, 33'/2nd half); Toró, Williams, Fernando (Ramon, 20'/2nd half) and Vinícius Pacheco; Vagner Love and Bruno Mezenga (Fierro, Half-time). Coach: Andrade.