Ronaldinho genius not enough to save Flamengo

The No. 10 was on top form as he laid on two assists in a comfortable victory, but the Brazilians saw Emelec enter the last-16 ahead of them in a gripping Group 2 finale.Flamengo crashed out of the 2012 Copa Libertadores in heartbreaking fashion on Thursday evening, as a 3-0 victory over the already-qualified Lanus proved irrelevant after Emelec's last minute triumph.Needing a win in the Estadio Joao Havelange as well as a draw between the Ecuadorians and Olimpia in the other final Group 2 fixture, the Brazilians showed the purpose and drive that has so often been lacking in this year's competition to cruise to an easy win. Wellinton put his side ahead in the first half, heading home a Dario Bottinelli corner to open the scoring.Two moments of brilliance from Ronaldinho made the game safe. The former Barcelona and Milan star played Deivid in perfectly for the second of the night, before repeating the favour for Luiz Moraes just after half time. With the three points necessary to keep their hopes alive already secured, attention turned to the game in Asuncion which was still to finish.Vagner Love danced in delight when Olimpia made it 2-2 in injury time, but his joy turned to despair seconds later still on the pitch when Emelec hit once more to win and book their place in the last-16, pushing the Fla back to third place in the group and out of the Copa. A gripping last 10 minutes in Asuncion ended with Emelec ecstatically celebrating a place in the Libertadores knockout stages, as Jose Quinonez's last-gasp winner edged the Ecuadorians past Flamengo and into the next stage.The situation could not have been more simple for the two teams as they took the field in the Paraguayan capital; a win would put either through, while a share of the points would assure Flamengo's progress. It was Olimpia who took the initiative, as Arnaldo Castorino's goal on the stroke of half time put one Decano foot in the next round.Just as in last week's defeat of the Brazilians, however, Emelec showed great resolve in coming back. Marcos Mondaini hit home to level the game, before Angel Mena was on target in the 87th minute to put his team on top and set off an incredible last act of the match.Pablo Zeballos' quick reflexes turning in a low cross brought the game back to 2-2 in injury time, to the delight of the Fla crowd listening intently for updates in Rio. But with time running out for both teams, a towering header from Jose Quinonez beat Martin Silva and decided an enthralling shootout in favour of the team from Guayaquil.Vasco fell just short of claiming the top spot in Group 5 despite an accomplished victory, as a single goal from Diego Souza added further pain to a disappointing campaign from rivals Nacional.With the Group's winners and losers already decided, Vasco were left to play for the win that could put them ahead of Libertad and into the last-16 as group winners; while the Uruguayans had nothing more than pride to play for. In an open game which could have gone either way, however, it was the Brazilians who took a narrow victory.Diego Souza was the man on target for the Rio club, striking 10 minutes into the second half for the only goal of the match. The highly-rated midfielder capped a man of the match performance by turning in from close range, to mark his second goal of the competition.The win leaves Vasco level on points with Libertad with 13 each from their six games. The Paraguayans will be seeded higher for the next stage, however, having scored one goal more. Nacional, meanwhile, finish seven points adrift in third.