By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Flamengo and Goiás drew 1-1 last night in the 33rd round of the Campeonato Brasileiro at the Maracanã Stadium. Goiás played over an hour with ten men but only picking up a point meant they missed out on the chance to climb into the G-4 and the Copa Libertadores qualification spots.
Goiás goalkeeper Renan was the hero of the day, making a string of saves to keep Flamengo’s dominance at bay. He couldn’t stop red hot Hernane however, who scored his sixteenth goal at the renovated Maracanã and 33rd of what has been an incredible season for the Rubro-Negro number nine.
The game had been even until a major turning point on 31 minutes. Referee Jaílson Macedo Freitas dismissed Goiás forward Hugo for two bookable offenses, the second of which was especially dubious.
Upon leaving the pitch Hugo angrily exclaimed to reporters that the decision “was of benefit to the big team.” Flamengo have a reputation in Brazil of receiving favorable decisions from referees.
The two sides were equal during the first half but Hernane put Flamengo ahead five minutes after the restart. Adryan and Paulinho combined well to set up Hernane to score once again.
With Goiás a man and a goal down Flamengo began to penetrate their defense with ease. But Goiás coach Enderson Moreira sent on holding midfielder Thiago Mendes to strengthen the defensive sector. He was rewarded with an equalizing goal when William Matheus sent in a free-kick and Rodrigo headed the leveler.
Later today, three more Carioca teams are in big game action. Vasco host Santos at the Maracanã while Botafogo and Fluminense are away to Internacional and Corinthians respectively.
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