By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Flamengo beat Fluminense 3-2 yesterday afternoon in the first Fla-Flu clássico at the renovated Maracanã Stadium. Brazil’s most famous derby was deservedly won by the Rubro-Negro, who despite falling behind, dominated the match and climbed away from the relegation zone.
For Fluminense, the season continues to go from bad to worse. They have now lost all three games against Carioca opposition and look a shadow of the side that romped to the 2012 title.
Despite a slow start, Flu went in front on sixteen minutes when Rafael Sóbis pounced on Wallace’s error to smash the ball past Felipe. However, Flamengo played the better football, Léo Moura and debutant André Santos causing headaches in the Flu defense.
On 25 minutes, Elias equalized and the turnaround was complete just six minutes later thanks to a wonderful strike from Hernane. Léo Moura beat youngster Eduardo far too easily and crossed for the number nine to apply the finishing touch.
Flu resumed to launching long balls at Fred which were easily cut out. The half-time interval did nothing to stem the flow of the game as Flamengo looked the more likely to score again.
Both wrapped up the game ten minutes from time when André Santos seized on indecision in the Flu penalty area to score the third. Sóbis scored a second for Flu in injury-time but it was not enough to change the outcome.
Meanwhile, Vasco beat Coritiba 1-0 at Couto Pereira stadium in Curitiba, Paraná state. Pedro Ken’s fifth minutes strike was enough to keep the Cruz-Maltino in the top half of the table.
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