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SAO PAULO (AP)—Ronaldinho converted a second-half free kick for Flamengo to beat Boavista 1-0 on Sunday to win the Guanabara Cup, the first stage of the Rio de Janeiro state championship.

Ronaldinho lifted his first trophy with Brazil’s most popular after curling in a right-footed shot over the wall in the 71st minute at Engenhao stadium. The goal gave Flamengo its 19th Guanabara Cup title and a chance to play for the state title against the winner of the Rio Cup, the tournament’s second stage.

It was only Ronaldinho’s sixth match with Flamengo, which dominated but had difficulties creating scoring opportunities against lowly Boavista, a team that reached the final after stunning Brazilian champion Fluminense in last week’s semifinals.

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“I’ve always dreamed about this,” Ronaldinho said. “These fans are wonderful.”

The two-time world player of the year joined Brazil’s most popular club in the beginning of the year, transferring from AC Milan after 10 years in European football.

He said he wants to keep winning titles with Flamengo to secure a spot in Brazil’s national team.

“My goal is to return to the national team as soon as possible,” the 30-year-old forward said. “I’ll keep working hard.”

Ronaldinho has a chance to help Flamengo win its 26th overall state trophy. It will clinch the title automatically if it also wins the Rio Cup.

Ronaldinho scored into the left upper corner of the goal, then celebrated near the sideline as several Flamengo players lined up behind him, dancing.

Boavista played a man down from the 78th after Argentine-born striker Carlos Frontini was sent off after an altercation with Flamengo midfielder Renato.

Boavista advanced to the semifinals with a last-round victory in the group stage before shocking Fluminense in a penalty shootout to reach the Guanabara Cup final for the first time. It has never beaten Flamengo since being founded in 2004.

The top Rio de Janeiro clubs—Flamengo, Fluminense, Vasco and Botafogo— have won the Guanabara Cup every time since 2005, when Volta Redonda clinched the title.

In the Sao Paulo state championship, Palmeiras drew 1-1 with 10-man Sao Paulo at Morumbi stadium to drop from first place in the standings. Forward Fernandinho opened the scoring with an angled left-footer in the 25th, and substitute striker Adriano equalized with a low shot in the 85th. Adriano is known as “Michael Jackson” in Brazil as he performs a dance similar to that once performed by the dead star.

Fourth-place Sao Paulo dominated the match until defender Alex Silva shoved Adriano to the ground and was sent off in the 58th.

The result kept alive Sao Paulo’s nine-year unbeaten streak against Palmeiras at the Morumbi.

Former Brazil star Rivaldo came on in the match in the final minutes for Sao Paulo, and Palmeiras played without World Cup-winning goalkeeper Marcos because of health problems with a family member.

The match was delayed for an hour because of heavy rains in South America’s biggest city.

Palmeiras was passed in the standings by Mirassol and Corinthians, which routed last-place Prudente 4-0 at Pacaembu stadium on Saturday, remaining the competition’s only unbeaten team after 10 rounds.

Former Sporting striker Liedson, replacing recently retired Ronaldo, scored his sixth and seventh goals in the last five matches with Corinthians.

Mirassol grabbed the lead by beating Paulista 2-0 in Jundiai, extending its winning streak to four matches.

Santos was held to a 1-1 draw by minnow Sao Bernardo at Vila Belmiro stadium on Saturday, a result that dropped the team to fifth in the standings and caused club directors to fire coach Adilson Batista after less than five months since hiring him.

Brazil midfielder Elano scored a penalty for the two-time Brazilian champion, which hasn’t won in three matches.

Agences de presses

Labels: Flamengo, Guanabara, Ronaldinho, scores