Latin American Roundup

Romario misses penalty as Fluminense loses again

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) -- Veteran striker Romario missed a penalty as Fluminense, with coach Renato Portaluppi making his debut, crashed to a 5-2 defeat by arch-rivals Flamengo on Wednesday.

Romario, who has completed five games without scoring, smashed his penalty against the crossbar in the 78th minute of the Rio de Janeiro derby between two clubs desperate for a win.

Fluminense took a first minute lead when defender Cesar scored with a header but Flamengo replied with two goals in six minutes by left-back Athirson and striker Ze Carlos.

Liedson, Iranildo and Fabio Baiano scored three goals in 20 minutes for Flamengo in the second half with Romario's penalty miss coming in between.

Fluminense substitute Roni grabbed an injury time consolation.

It was Flamengo's second win in eight games and their first under Evaristo Macedo, who took over one week ago to become the club's sixth coach in the last year.

In other matches played on Wednesday, Palmeiras supporters protested outside the team dressing-room after their team again failed to win, this time drawing 2-2 at home to Coritiba due to a late equalizer from Colombian striker Hernan Munoz.

Rowdy fans

A rowdy group insulted president Mustafa Cotoursi and had to be dispersed by police before the players could leave.

"We didn't deserve to win. Once again we've embarrassed ourselves in front of the fans," said goalkeeper Marcos, who won the World Cup with Brazil in June.

Palmeiras, four-times Brazilian champions, are 23rd in the table. Levir Culpi, who on Thursday will become the club's third coach in a month, watched from the stands.

Defending champions Atletico Paranaense went top with a 2-0 win over Botafogo.

Striker Alex Mineiro scored on the hour and substitute Dagoberto added the second immediately after coming onto the pitch.

Dagoberto picked up a loose ball in midfield as he entered the field, ran through a confused Botafogo defense and slammed the ball into the net to score within ten seconds of coming on.

Atletico lead on goal difference from Sao Paulo, who lost 3-1 at Cruzeiro.

Pachuca, Pumas win in Mexican Copa qualifying

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Walter Silvani and Juan Arango scored to give Pachuca a 2-0 victory over Atlas of Guadalajara in the second game of a Copa Libertadores qualifying doubleheader Wednesday.

In the first game, Alvaro Gonzalez and Jaime Lozano scored in UNAM Pumas of Mexico City's 2-0 victory over Morelia.

The doubleheader is part of a qualifying series for Mexican teams to enter the Copa Libertadores, South America's most prestigious club tournament. The series resumes Sept. 25.

Silvani scored in the 40th minute. Milton Nunez, a starter on Honduras' national team, took a 13-meter (14-yard) shot that Atlas goalkeeper Armando Navarrete deflected. But Silvani headed the deflection, which bounced into the net from 11 meters (12 yards).

Arango scored seconds after entering the game in the 80th minute. Silvani's header found an onrushing Arango, who scored from 11 meters (12 yards) inside the left post. Pachuca goalkeeper Miguel Angel Calero made seven saves for the shutout. Navarrete finished with 10 saves.

Atlas midfielder Martin Machon, who played for Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy and Miami Fusion, left the game in the 19th minute with a sprained left ankle.

 

Related information

Stories

Soccer America: Mexico kicks off new season

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video