Rio de Janeiro May 1 (IANS) A first-half goal from forward Everton handed Flamengo a 1-0 victory over Fluminense in the first leg of Brazil s Carioca football championship final here.
Everton capitalised on a Renato Chaves error to blast an angled shot into the top left corner just after the half-hour mark during Sunday night s game reports Xinhua news agency.
The result at the iconic Maracana Stadium means Flamengo need only a draw in next Sunday s return leg -- at the same venue -- to claim the Rio state title for the 34th time.
In Sao Paulo Corinthians moved to within touching distance of their 28th Paulista championship title after a 3-0 away victory over Ponte Preta in the first leg of the final.
Rodriguinho netted either side of halftime while former Brazil midfielder Jadson was also on the score sheet with a 59th-minute strike at the Moises Lucarelli Stadium in Campinas.
The Paulista championship is the top division professional league in the state of Sao Paulo.
--IANS
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Flamengo, Corinthians gain edge in Brazil finals
