Flamengo take control of Copa do Brasil semi-final

Victor Carceres (R) and Everton of Flamengo celebrate a scored goal against Atletico MG in the Copa do Brasil semi-final

Rio de Janeiro, Oct 30 Defending champions Flamengo took a big step towards reaching the final of the Copa do Brasil football competition after winning their semi-final first leg against Atletico Mineiro 2-0 here.

Paraguay international midfielder Victor Caceres opened the scoring at the Maracana Stadium Wednesday with a header before Chicao converted a penalty, after Gabriel was brought down by Josue, reported Xinhua.

The return match will be played at the Estadio Independencia in Belo Horizonte Nov 5.

"Whoever came to the Maracana tonight saw a great match, but it isn't over," Vanderlei Luxemburgo, Flamengo coach, said after the match.

"This is a game of 180 minutes. We are on the right track and showed great focus against a team that is very difficult to play," he added.

In Wednesday's other semi-final first leg, Cruzeiro defeated Santos 1-0 in Belo Horizonte.

The winners of the Copa do Brasil will earn a berth in next year's Copa Libertadores, South America's premier club competition.