Cruzeiro wins 7-2, advances to semis

Cruzeiro wins 7-2, advances to semis

RIO DE JANEIRO, April 5 -- In a game that saw eight goals scored in the second half, Cruzeiro convincingly beat Tupi 7-2 on Sunday, reported the local media on Monday.

In the last round of play in the Minas Gerais state championship, the team needed to win in order to advance to the semifinals. Doing just that, they will face the winner of Democrata-GV and Ituiutaba.

The only goal in the first half came from Cruziero's Kleber, who scored three goals in Sunday's match. On a penalty call after Goncalves took down Marquinhos Parana in front of the goal, Klebertook the responsibility of taking the penalty kick and did not disappoint.

The second half saw a flurry of goals. Cruzeiro scored the first three goals of the half in the 9th, 18th and 25th minutes of the second half. Kleber, Ramires and Fabricio were the respective authors of the initial barrage.

Tupi was able to cut the lead down when they scored two consecutive goals. In the 25th minute of play, Noel crossed the ball towards the front of the Cruzeiro net. Cruzeiro's Fabricio attempted to head the ball out of bounds, but the ball deflected off the player's head and into his own goal.

In the 27th minute, taking command of a free kick, Hugo blasted the ball past the Cruzeiro defensive wall and into the back of the net.

Cruzeiro would add another three goal assault before the end. In the 29th minute, Ramires passed the ball off to a wide-open Kleber. Kleber took his time to control the ball and loft it over the diving Tupi goalkeeper.

In the 42nd minute, Marquinhos Parana crossed the ball to Ramires who headed the ball into the back of the Tupi net. Closing out the embarrassment, Marquinhos Parana scored in the 46th minute of the second half after taking advantage of a loose rebound in front of the Tupi net.

Before Cruzeiro begins their preparation for the semifinals of the Minas Gerais state tournament next weekend, they will focus their attention on their Libertadores Cup mid-week match against the Argentinean team of Estudiantes. Kleber will be unable to play in the game due to a suspension that he has to serve in the continental tournament.
(Xinhua)