By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Vasco and Flamengo drew 1-1 in the penultimate round of the 2012 Brasileirão at a muted Engenhão Stadium. In front of a disappointing crowd of only 6,000, Nílton’s stunning free-kick had given the Vascaínos the lead before Marcos Gonzalez’s fortuitous late goal brought the scores level.
The 37th round saw no victories for Carioca clubs. Champions Fluminense also drew 1-1, away to Sport Recife. The home side are fighting to avoid relegation and piled on the pressure, but another masterful performance from Diego Cavalieri kept them at bay.
Fred’s 20th goal of the season put the Laranjeiras outfit ahead before Felipe Azevedo leveled on the stroke of half-time. The second half was one-way traffic as Sport strove for the second goal that would give them three points.
Cavalieri’s heroics mean that Sport go into the final day knowing that even a win might not be enough to keep them in the first division for 2013.
Finally, an entertaining game between Botafogo and Atlético-MG ended 3-2 to the Mineiro side. Bernard gave Atlético the advantage before two quick goals from Fogão turned things around.
Yet Atlético scored two more in the second half to foil Oswaldo de Oliveira, who appears to be heading towards the Botafogo exit.
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