By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Flamengo qualified for the group stages of the Copa Libertadores after defeating Bolivian outfit Real Potosí 2-0 last night at the Engenhão. Having lost the first leg 2-1 last week, the result gave Mengão a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Goals from Léo Moura and Ronaldinho Gaúcho put the Rubro-Negro into the next round on a night when the Carioca side were forced to ride their luck. In a quiet and tense first half, the home side finally broke the deadlock when Moura glanced in Ronaldinho’s lofted free-kick.
But Potosí refused to lie down and replied after the break with a succession of incisive break-aways. Only their lack of a constant goal threat prevented them from leveling the scores on the night.
They were made to pay dearly for their inaccurate finishing deep into stoppage time when Ronaldinho made sure of victory from inside the penalty area. The result relieves the pressure on coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who had been coming under increasing scrutiny after a fallout Ronaldinho.
Flamengo go into Group Two alongside Olimpia, of Paraguay, Ecuador’s Emelec and Argentine side Lanús.
Meanwhile, in the Campeonato Carioca, Vasco overcame Bangu 2-1 whilst Fluminense fell to Boavista by the same scoreline. Botafogo travel to Madureira tonight for their third round match.
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