By Lise Alves, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – It has been almost four years since Flamengo has been among the G-4, but Thursday night the team shook fans out of their seats as it beat Cruzeiro 2-0. It has now 38 points, tied with São Paulo and Atlético-PR for the last spot on the G-4 team. This is the fifth consecutive win for the Rio de Janeiro team in this year’s Campeonato Brasileiro.
Although Cruzeiro was stronger in the first half of the game, its players were unable to finalize any plays and Flamengo’s Alan Patrick was able to score at the end of the first half, just before players went into locker rooms for half time.
When players took to the field again during the second half Cruzeiro continued to pressure the home team, but lost its rhythm after Flamengo’s Luiz Antonio was able to score the second gol at 23 minutes into the second half. From then on, Flamengo took control and dominated the game.
With more than 43,000 on the stands, Flamengo fans cheered on players as the team’s chances to go to next year’s Copa Libertadores da America grew.
São Paulo’s Corinthians continues in first place for the Campeonato Brasileiro, with 51 points, followed by Atletico-MG with 48 points and Gremio, with 45. The first four teams in this championship will go to next year’s Copa Libertadores da America. On Sunday, September 13th, Flamengo will face Chapecoense in Santa Catarina for the 25th round of the championship.