Brazilian Cup Round-up: Flamengo strike late to seal first leg advantage

Two second half goals saw Flemengo take a priceless 2-0 lead into the second leg of the Copa Do Brasil against highflying Atlético Mineiro. Whilst the away side had dominated much of the possession throughout, Flemengo capitalised in key moments as Minerio were left to rue two very poorly conceded goals. After a goalless first […]
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sambafoot_admin
2014-10-31 02:55:00

Two second half goals saw Flemengo take a priceless 2-0 lead into the second leg of the Copa Do Brasil against highflying Atlético Mineiro.

Whilst the away side had dominated much of the possession throughout, Flemengo capitalised in key moments as Minerio were left to rue two very poorly conceded goals.

After a goalless first half, in which the home side tried to press on with their advantage of the Maracanã, but struggled to create any clear-cut chances, it was the Paraguayan international Víctor Cáceres who put them infront with an hour played.

After an odd looking freekick had hit the Mineiro crossbar, the second ball into the box was capatilised on as Cáceres rose highest to convert the cross from Gabriel.

If anything the second goal was even more bizarre, as a ridiculous head first challenge by the usually reliable Mineiro defensive midfielder Josué left the referee with no option but to point to penalty spot.

Chicão’s penalty may have been unconvincing, but it ended up in the back of the net to secure a victory for hosts that leaves third placed Mineiro facing an uphill struggle in the return leg in a weeks’ time.

In the other semi-final over at Belo Horizonte, home of league leaders Cruzeiro, an early strike from Willian was enough to settle the contest in Cruzerio’s favour; a result which could well set up an interesting return fixture on Thursday at the Estádio Vila Belmiro.

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