Sao Paulo, Feb 20: Ronaldinho and Vagner Love scored in the second half to help Flamengo come from behind to defeat Resende 3-1 on Saturday and reach the semifinals of the Guanabara Cup, the first stage of the Rio championship.
Vasco da Gama, Botafogo and Fluminense also advanced to the semifinals.
In the Sao Paulo state tournament, Argentine striker Hernan Barcos scored again for leader Palmeiras, while Corinthians won in the return of former Brazil striker Adriano.
Flamengo went a goal down when Marcelo Regis scored for Resende in the 47th minute in Volta Redonda, but Ronaldinho and former CSKA Moscow striker Vagner Love put Brazil's most popular club back in the game just 10 minutes later by scoring five minutes apart.
Ronaldinho equalized with a header in the 57th and recently signed foward Vagner Love scored the go-ahead goal from close range in the 62nd. Striker Negueba sealed the victory in the 72nd.
The result set a semifinal against Vasco da Gama, which defeated Boavista 1-0 to win its seventh match in a row to start the season.
Also, Argentine striker German Herrera scored in the first half to lead Botafogo to a 3-0 victory at Macae. Botafogo will play the other semifinal against Fluminense, which routed Bangu 3-0 and advanced thanks to Vasco's victory. A draw by the rival would have eliminated Fluminense regardless of its victory.
The Guanabara Cup winner will play for the Rio state title against the Rio Cup champion later in the tournament.
The Brazilian football season does not follow the European calendar and starts in the beginning of the year. Regional championships in the 26 states take place in the first few months, with the Brazilian league running from May until December.
In the Sao Paulo state championship, leader Palmeiras defeated Guaratingueta 3-2 on Friday behind a penalty-kick goal by Barcos, one of the team's top acquisitions for the season. It was his second goal in three matches.
The away victory kept Luiz Felipe Scolari's side unbeaten in the regional championship and atop the 20-team standings.
Corinthians defeated Sao Caetano 1-0 in Sao Caetano do Sul to level with Palmeiras on points, but behind on goal difference. Striker Willian scored the winner in the 63rd.
Most of Corinthians' starters were rested for the Copa Libertadores, but the match marked Adriano's first match with Corinthians this year. Last week the striker was ordered to stay at the team's hotel to lose weight.
On Thursday, striker Willian Jose scored all the goals in Sao Paulo's 3-1 win over Paulista. The Brazil youth player was sent off later in the match.
Most championships had their matches played on Friday and Saturday because of Carnival celebrations.
