By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Fluminense missed the chance to close the gap to just one point at the top of the table after the seventeenth round of the 2012 Campeonato Brasileirão. The Tricolor drew 1-1 with Cruzeiro in Minas Gerais, the same result league leaders Atlético-MG earned away to Atlético-GO.
Cruzeiro took the lead after just three minutes when Wellington Paulista used his hand to control the ball before beating Cavalieri from three yards. Flu remonstrations fell on deaf ears as the goal stood.
Wágner played excellently in the place of Deco, forcing Fábio into a smart save soon afterwards. Fred equalized just before the break, heading in from almost on the goal-line.
The number nine had a golden opportunity to win the game for the Cariocas when Jean’s precise free-kick found him free in the area. He controlled the ball on his chest but with just Fábio to beat fired a volley straight against the keeper’s chest.
Goals from Elkeson and Clarence Seedorf helped Botafogo climb to sixth place with a 2-0 over Sport at the Engenhão Stadium. In front of just 4,000 fans, the strikes took the Alvinegro to within four points off fourth placed Grêmio, who lost last night to Portuguesa.
Flamengo’s good run was abruptly cut short by Palmeiras, who beat the Rubro-Negro 1-0. Barcos’ close-range finish in the first-half was enough to steer the Paulistas out of the relegation zone.
Tonight, Vasco host Coritiba knowing victory will be enough to see them leap-frog Flu back into second place.
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