By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Flamengo and Vasco drew 1-1 yesterday afternoon in the 26th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro at the Estádio Mané Garrincha in Brasília. The draw meant Vasco retruend to the relegation zone with twelve games remaining in the league.
The game was low on technical quality and bore all the signs of two clubs simply scrapping to survive. The match was ill-tempered at times between Rio’s two most well-supported clubs, the referee producing no fewer than six yellow cards.
Elias, once again, was Flamengo‘s best player, and had a hand in the opening goal on 3 minutes. His pass found Paulinho down the right flank, whose low cross was turned in by Hernane for his tenth goal of the Brasileirão campaign.
Hernane had a chance to double Flamengo’s lead before the interval but fluffed his lines in the face of goal. Nevertheless, the Rubro-Negro were good for their lead at half-time, having produced marginally the better football (soccer) during the opening 45 minutes.
Vasco played at a higher tempo in the second half and leveled just seven minutes after the restart. Flamengo left-back João Paulo failed to cut out Jhon Cley’s cross and Willie found the back of the net.
As the half wore on Vasco, wrested the initiative. Marlone and Willie went close to snatching a win but in the end both sides were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.
Elsewhere, Fluminense lost 1-0 to Internacional in Rio Grande do Sul. Leandro Damião’s 80th minute strike ended Flu’s seven-match unbeaten streak.
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