By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Flamengo came from behind to beat Atlético-MG by 2-1 in the Campeonato Brasileiro last night at the Maracanã Stadium to put further distance between themselves and the relegation zone. The entrance of Eduardo da Silva made all the difference as his excellent form since arrival at the club continues.
The Croatia international won the penalty which captain Léo Moura converted on 64 minutes, to cancel out Maicosuel’s opener for the visitors after only nine minutes. Then on seventy minutes he netted the winner with his second goal for the club.
Atlético stopper Victor thought he had kept out Eduardo’s header only to see the ball come back off the woodwork to hit the forward and cross the goal-line. Atlético had a late chance to grab a share of the points but Paulo Victor made a comfortable save from André’s header, and Fla’s good form under Vanderlei Luxemburgo continues.
But there was defeat for Botafogo, who lost 1-0 to Figueirense and sipped perilously close to the relegation zone. Clayton scored the game’s only goal after just two minutes when he converted Marcão’s right-sided cross from close range.
Botafogo pressed, especially in the second half, but lacked the clinical finishing of Emerson Sheik in attack. Argentine Ferreyra missed two excellent chances to grab a point for the Alvinegro, and Botafogo now sit just a point above the drop zone.
Also there was yet another loss for Fluminense as the Tricolor fell 1-0 to Chapecoense. The Tricolor have now lost their last three games and have slipped out of the G-4 after São Paulo’s win at Internacional.
Camilo scored the winner on the hour mark as Flu drew a blank for the second successive game. The fans’ increasing ire with striker Fred is unlikely to let up anytime soon after another apathetic showing from the No. 9.
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