Fluminense all but guaranteed their passage in to the latter stages of the Copa do Brasil with a seamless 3-0 first leg win away at America RN to record a fourth straight win in all competitions.
The 2007 winners, the only time they have lifted the trophy, will go into next week’s second leg at home and with a certainty surrounding advancement, thanks to a double from midfielder Cicero and one from Argentine Dario Conca.
A much-improved spell of form from the 2012 Brasileirao winners has seen them emerge as the closest title challengers to defending champions and current leaders Cruzeiro, who sit atop the table with 29 points from 13 games.
Of the Serie A teams still in wth a real chance of missing out on the final stages of the Copa do Brasil, both Santos and Internacional must hope to overturn 2-1 deficits in a week’s time if they are to join Fluminense in advancing.
