Fluminense beat Zamora to top Group D

Rio de Janeiro, March 30 (IANS) Fluminense advanced to the second phase of the 2012 Libertadores Cup with 1-0 away victory against Venezuela's Zamora.

Fluminense becomes the first Brazilian club to advance to the next phase of the competition, Xinhua reported.

Fluminense's Rafael Sobis came off the bench to score the game's only goal Thursday. In the 78th minute, he drove a free kick directly at the barrier of Zamora players that deflected off the back of defender Oscar Noriega and continued past keeper Forero and into the goal.

The result keeps Fluminense perfect through the first four rounds, earning first place in Group D with 12 points. It also mathematically guarantees the teams qualification into the round of 16.