By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – There was a win, a draw and a defeat for three of the four Carioca clubs competing in the 2013 Brasileirão yesterday afternoon. Current state champions Botafogo narrowly overcame Cruzeiro, a spirited fightback from Flamengo earned them a point whilst Vasco lost to Vitória.
A brace from Uruguayan playmaker Nicolás Lodeiro ensured Botafogo took all three points against Cruzeiro with a 2-1 win. Lodeiro’s close range finish on six minutes gave the Alvinegro the lead before a huge slice of good fortune allowed the visitors to equalize.
Anselmo Ramon’s shot came back off a post, striking Botafogo keeper Renan in the back and crossing the goal line. However, Botafogo’s advantage was once again restored when Lodeiro calmly tucked away a penalty after Lucas had been recklessly felled inside the area.
Two goals in three minutes salvaged a 2-2 draw for Flamengo away to Atlético-PR. The game looked to have been won for the home side with a double from Ederson, his second coming less than twenty minutes before the final whistle.
Nevertheless, Marcelo Moreno, with his first goal for the club, headed home Rafinha’s center to give the Rubro-Negro hope on 77 minutes. Three minutes later, another high ball would prove to be Atlético’s undoing.
The cross caused untold confusion and Renato Abreu, completely unmarked, leveled. The draw gave Fla their second point from three games in the competition.
Finally, Vasco lost 2-0 to Vitória in Salvador as they look set for a relegation battle this term. The result concluded a miserable week for the Cruz-Maltino, who had been thrashed 5-1 by São Paulo on Wednesday night.
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