Coritiba started the game the strongest, dominating possession and showed no fear to take the game to Flamengo.
Half an hour in to the game, their willingness paid off. Marcus Aurelio whipped in a corner that found it’s way to striker, Leonardo. The twenty nine year old took the half volley on inside the six yard box, which ended up in the back of the net.
After taking the lead, Coritiba refused to sit on their lead and continued to press forward. Ten minutes before the half time whistle, the ‘Coxa’ side then doubled their lead.
Wing back Maranhao intercepted the ball from Ronaldinho inside his own half and made a darting run forward with the ball towards the edge of the Flamengo area. The right wing back then released the trigger, which ended up taking a wicked deflection, lobbing a helpless Felipe in goal and ending up in the back of the net.
Just a minute later, Flamengo felt a little hard done by when the referee waved away a clear penalty shout, after Ronaldinho was tripped up in the Coritiba penalty area as he was through on goal.
Coming out for the second half, the home side managed to maintain the level of their performance, not looking to rest on their two goal lead.
As the half went on, Flamengo’s game eventually improved. The Rubro Negro side started to dominate possession, but that final ball was still lacking.
In the end, Flamengo just didn’t do enough offensively with the Coxa defence dealing with everything that came their way.
Coritiba deserved the victory and kept their Copa Libertadores hopes alive. Whilst a deafeat for Flamengo really dent’s their title hopes, as the league leaders Corinthians came out victorious against Atletico PR by 2-1, extending their lead at the top.
