In a thrilling match, Flamengo and Botafogo drew 2-2 in the first leg of the Campeonato Carioca final. Flamengo opened the scoring with Juan, but suffered a comeback in the first half. Williams scored the equalizer in the 39th minute of the second half. The two teams will face each other again next Sunday at the Maracanã stadium to determine the 2009 Campeonato Carioca champion. Flamengo is fighting to win its fifth three-peat.

The match started off fast-paced, with both teams constantly searching for a goal. Flamengo exploited the flanks with Juan and Léo Moura. Botafogo, on the other hand, adopted the same tactic as in the Taça Rio final, constantly counterattacking. In the 20th minute, Juan received the ball from Emerson and was brought down in the penalty area by Alessandro. Referee Rodrigo Nunes de Sá awarded the penalty. Juan took the penalty with skill and opened the scoring: 1-0 Flamengo. The red-and-black fans celebrated at the Maracanã.

Flamengo had a chance to extend their lead nine minutes later. Léo Moura received the ball from Zé Roberto in the penalty area and shot straight at Renan. Shortly after, Emerson fired a shot from the edge of the box, but Renan saved it confidently.

In the 37th minute, Botafogo equalized. Referee Rodrigo Nunes de Sá ruled a dubious foul by Welinton on Maicosuel. Juninho took a powerful free kick to level the score at 1-1. The game remained even, but Botafogo turned the game around six minutes later. Maicosuel took a free kick from the right, and Reinaldo headed it in to make it 2-1.

Flamengo returned for the second half with Josiel replacing Zé Roberto. The change didn't have much effect, as the midfield and attack continued to be subject to the team's strong marking. Botafogo had the first good chance of the second half, with Alessandro taking a shot from outside the box. Bruno palmed it away for a corner.

In the 16th minute, Cuca took off Léo Moura and brought on Everton Silva, and in the 25th, he brought on Erick Flores for Welinton. Cheered on by the Flamengo fans, Flamengo equalized in the 39th minute. Willians advanced down the right flank, dribbled past Gabriel, and shot. The ball deflected off defender Emerson and went in: 2-2.

CREDITS:

BOTAFOGO 2 X 2 FLAMENGO

Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Date/time: 26/4/2009 - 16:XNUMX PM (Brasília time)\

Referee: Rodrigo Nunes de Sá (RJ)\ Assistants: Rodrigo Pereira Joia (RJ) and Eduardo de Souza Couto (RJ)\

Revenue/audience: R$ 1.462.853,00 / 58.711 paying spectators (63.061 present)

Yellow cards: Juninho, Alessandro, Eduardo (BOT); Fábio Luciano, Emerson, Juan, Erick Flores (FLA) Red cards: None\ GOAL: Juan, 19'/1st half (0-1); Juninho, 37'/1st half (1-1); Reinaldo, 43'/1st half (2-1); Willians, 39'/2nd half (2-2)\

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Welinton (Erick Flores, 25'/2nd half), Fábio Luciano and Ronaldo Angelim; Léo Moura (Everton Silva, 16'/2nd half), Willians, Kleberson, Ibson and Juan; Zé Roberto (Josiel, half-time) and Emerson. Coach: Cuca.

BOTAFOGO: Renan, Emerson, Juninho and Leandro Guerreiro; Alessandro, Fahel, Léo Silva, Maicosuel (Renato, 16'/2nd half) and Eduardo (Gabriel, 7'/2nd half); Reinaldo (Jean Carioca, 19'/2nd half) and Victor Simões - Coach Ney Franco.