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Adriano scores hat trick in Flamengo win

Adriano scored a hat trick to lead Flamengo over rival Fluminense in a wild 5-3 win in the Rio de Janeiro state championship tournament match.

Fluminense dominated the defending Brazilian national champions in the first half, weaving between defenders and creating scoring opportunities at will.

In the 13^th minute, defensive midfielder Diguinho made a will-timed pass to striker Alan, who found himself alone right in front of goal and easily knocked in the first goal.

Alan was fouled hard in the area in the 39^th minute and Dario Conca converted the penalty to make it 2-0.

But Adriano converted a penalty three minutes later to bring Flamengo within striking distance at 2-1.

Fluminense defender Cassio scored in the 45^th from a corner before Flamengo came out hard in the second half.

Former CSKA Moscow striker Vagner Love ignited the crowd in Maracana stadium in the 52^nd minute, putting in a lightning-quick right footer from 10 meters (yards) after it bounced off a defender.

Brazil World Cup veteran Kleberson found the equalizer a minute later when he knocked in a left foot shot after gathering a cross from Vinicius Pacheco.

In the 81^st, Love dribbled the ball quickly up the right side and passed it to Pacheco, who tipped it over to an unmarked Adriano, who easily tapped in the shot to give Flamengo the lead.

Adriano scored again in the 89^th to seal the victory, commanding a quick attack and drawing Fluminense’s goalkeeper out before putting the ball past him.

In other Rio state championship matches, Bangu beat Duque de Caxias 3-0; Boavista downed Olario 3-0; Madureira beat Macae 2-1; and Vasco easily beat Friburguense 3-0.

On Saturday, Volta Redonda beat Americano 3-1; Resende toppled the Tigres 4-2; and Botafogo won 2-1 over America.

In the Sao Paulo state championship, Corinthians put themselves atop the standings with a 1-0 win over Palmeiras — it’s first victory over its local rival in three years.

Corinthians was a man down for most of the match — World Cup veteran defender Roberto Carlos was sent off in the 8^th for a hard, sliding tackle. The 36-year-old left Fenerbahce just weeks ago to sign a two-year deal with Corinthians.

Corinthians scored in the 6^th minute from a header by Jorge Henrique, who knocked in a free kick from Tcheco.

“We lost a player very early. Therefore, it was very important that everybody fought,” Corinthians midfielder Danilo said. “We battled to the end and got the result. Now we can celebrate.”

With the win, Corinthians has 11 points to lead the tournament. The defeat was the first for Palmeiras in the competition.

On Saturday, Santos cruised by Oeste 2-0. The team sits in the No. 2 spot in tournament standings, and fans are expecting much more as Robinho, on a six-month loan from Manchester City, prepares to take the pitch for the side.

Against Oeste, 17-year-old striker Neymar helped set up the team’s first goal in the 51^st, as he made a clever pass through to defenders to Marquinhos, who then sent the ball in front of goal to Andre, who tapped it in.

Neymar scored in injury time to seal the win when he took a deft pass from Madson just as he entered the area and put in a booming right-footed strike.

In other Sao Paulo state matches Sunday, Mogi Mirim drew with Bragantino 1-1; Botafogo-SP beat Portuguesa 2-1; Ponte Preta got by Rio Branco 2-1; Sao Paulo drew with Sertaozinho 2-2; Santo Andre beat Ituano 2-1; and Mirassol defeated Paulista 2-0.

On Saturday, Barueri beat Rio Claro 3-2 and Monte Azul drew Sao Caetano, 2-2.