Fluminense win the Carioca state championship

Fluminense secured the Carioca state championship on Sunday after a 5-1 aggregate win over Botafogo.

The Tricolor das Larajeiras were always in the driving seat having won the first leg 4-1 at the Engenhão last weekend.

Botafogo struggled to get going in the first half, but managed to raise their game considerably after the interval. However despite their efforts, Oswaldo de Oliveira's side just couldn’t find a way past Fluminense’s in-form goalkeeper, Diego Cavalieri.

With the former Liverpool shot-stopper ensuring that the score remained level, Flu broke forward and managed to get themselves in front just after the hour mark. Carlinhos exchanged passes with Rafael Sobis on the left flank and then picked out Rafael Moura in the six-yard box. The big striker - nicknamed He-Man - was able to flick the ball into the back of the net, much to the delight of the Fluminense faithful.

Despite winning the Flu's 31st Carioca title, Abel Braga will be concerned about the physical state of Deco and Bruno, who were both forced off during the match due to injury. The duo could well miss out on Thursday's Copa Libertadores quarter-final first leg against Boca Juniors at La Bombonera.

BOTAFOGO: Jéfferson; Gabriel (Caio), Brinner, Fábio Ferreira, Márcio Azevedo; Jadson, Renato, Elkeson (Herrera), Fellype Gabriel, Maicosuel; Loco Abreu (Vitinho)

FLUMINENSE: Diego Cavalieri, Bruno (Fábio), Gum, Anderson, Carlinhos; Edinho, Jean, Deco (Wágner); Thiago Neves, Rafael Sobis (Marcos Júnior), Rafael Moura