By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Carioca clubs Flamengo and Fluminense both picked up three points in the seventeenth round of the 2014 Campeonato Brasileiro yesterday (August 24th) afternoon. Flu got back to winning ways in emphatic style, while the Rubro-Negro continued their revival under veteran Vanderlei Luxemburgo.
Two goals from Fred helped Fluminense thrash Sport Recife 4-0 at the Maracanã Stadium. After a poor run of form which saw the Tricolor lose three successive matches and fan protests, yesterday’s result can be the launching pad for their title challenge.
Despite a slow start to the contest, when Flu finally hit their stride it was inspiring. Cícero put them ahead after 34 minutes, latching onto an exquisite pass from Fred before nonchalantly flicking the ball beyond Magrão in the Sport goal.
The No. 9 then doubled the lead just before the interval, with Cícero turning provider. The game was as good as put to bed less than five minutes after the restart, when Darío Conca’s low free-kick from the right flank somehow found its way through the wall and into the net.
Then at ten minutes from time Fred notched his second to put the cherry on the cake. Fluminense now have to maintain their form away to Corinthians next Sunday, another contender for this year’s title.
Meanwhile, Flamengo put further distance between themselves and the relegation zone with a 2-0 win away to Criciúma. Luxemburgo can do no wrong at present; his two substitutions in the second half made all the difference, just as they had done against Atlético-MG last Wednesday night.
Lucas Mugni and Eduardo da Silva came on and netted the goals in the space of four minutes to give Mengão the points. Mugni was fouled by João Victor inside the box with the goal at his mercy, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and dismissing the Ciricúma player.
Mugni picked himself up to convert the kick, and, nine minutes from time, Eduardo met Everton’s cross with a firm header to wrap up the points.
Campeonato Brasileiro Round 17 Results in Full:
Botafogo 1-0 Chapecoense
Atlético-MG 1-0 Internacional
Palmeiras 1-0 Coritiba
Fluminense 4-0 Sport Recife
São Paulo 2-1 Santos
Vitória 0-1 Figueirense
Grêmio 2-1 Corinthians
Criciúma 0-2 Flamengo
Atlético-PR 0-0 Bahia
Goiás 0-1 Cruzeiro
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