It started well for Flamengo whose players were highly motivated after last week defeat. It took the Cariocas only 19 minutes to open the score with a goal by Thiago Neves and an assist by Ronaldinho.
It was Thiago Neves who scored again at the 27th minute putting Flamengo ahead with one foot in the semi-final.
But then everything went wrong for the Cariocas, first they conceived a goal on a free kick deflected by Washington (35th min), then Ronaldo Angelim was booked with a second yellow card and therefore asked to leave his partners. Following the incident Washington managed to score his second goal bringing the two teams to a tie and Ceara back ahead to proceed to the semifinal.
The Cariocas were mad at the referee as he validated the goal. They claimed that Thiago Humberto had touched the ball with his hand before Washington scored the goal. Flamengo’s coach, Luxemborgo, was also sent off at half time as he protested when his players were pushed away by the police forces when they tried to pressure the referee.
During the second half Flamengo tried hard to score that one goal that would have allow them to proceed to the next stage but at 10 against 11 and with Ceara’s motivation they couldn’t do it.
Ceara’s will meet Coritiba in the semifinal, who without surprise went through against Palmeiras. Even if they won 2-0 yesterday, Palmeiras needed a miracle to reverse the 6-0 defeat they conceded last week.
Tonight we will know who will play the other semi final as the last two games of the quarter final will take place between Vasco against Atlético-PR and Avaí against São Paulo.
