Vasco beats Flamengo 3-2 to reach Rio Cup final

SAO PAULO (AP) — Vasco da Gama recovered after conceding an early goal to defeat Flamengo 3-2 on Sunday and reach the Rio Cup final.

Playmaker Felipe scored twice in Vasco's victory, which added even more pressure on Ronaldinho's Flamengo after the popular team's early elimination in the Copa Libertadores just over a week ago.

Vasco will now play Botafogo, which defeated Bangu 4-2 on Saturday behind a hat trick by Uruguay striker Sebastian "El Loco" Abreu in the other semifinal of the second stage of the Rio state championship.

In the quarterfinals of the Sao Paulo state tournament, Brazilian champion Corinthians fell 3-2 at home to Ponte Preta, and Luiz Felipe Scolari's Palmeiras was eliminated after losing by the same score to Guarani in Campinas.

Defending champion Santos advanced with a 2-0 home win over Mogi Mirim behind a goal and an assist by Neymar, who reached 99 career goals with the Brazilian club. Santos will face Sao Paulo, which defeated Bragantino 4-1 on Saturday thanks to two goals by former Brazil striker Luis Fabiano, who will not play in the semis because of a yellow card suspension.

Former CSKA striker Vagner Love opened the scoring for Flamengo with a goal just three minutes into the match at the Engenhao stadium in Rio, but Vasco forward Eder Luis equalized in the 14th and Felipe added to the lead in the 41st and 49th minutes.

Flamengo stayed within reach with a long-range shot by 2006 World Cup veteran midfielder Kleberson, but it couldn't capitalize on its scoring chance at the end.

Flamengo had beaten Vasco in the last match of the group round in a controversial game in which Vasco said the officiating crew benefited Flamengo.

Brazil's most popular club was eliminated in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores on April 12, and two-time FIFA player of the year Ronaldinho has been blamed by many fans and local media as the responsible for his team's struggles because of subpar performances since arriving in the beginning of last year.

Botafogo reached the final thanks to the three goals by Abreu in the 4-2 win over Bangu at the Engenhao. Abreu missed a penalty kick, however, his sixth in the last seventh try.

Fluminense — the other top team in Rio along with Vasco, Botafogo and Flamengo — didn't advance to the semifinals of the Rio Cup but it had already guaranteed a spot in the overall Rio state final because it won the Guanabara Cup, the competition's first stage.

Brazil does not follow the European football calendar. Regional championships are played in the first few months and the Brazilian league starts only next month.

In the Rio Grande do Sul state championship, Argentine playmaker Jesus Datolo scored twice in Internacional's 4-0 win over Veranopolis on Sunday, helping the club reach a final against Porto Alegre city rival Gremio in the second stage of the state championship.