In a thrilling match, Flamengo and Portuguesa drew 2-2 this Wednesday night at Canindé Stadium. The team from Gávea maintains its lead in the Brasileirão with 27 points and is now rooting for Grêmio to stay atop the table.

Flamengo took the field with an attacking formation, with Diego Tardelli, Éder, and Souza. The home team had the first good chance, with Washington shooting from the penalty area. In the seventh minute, Souza received the ball from Diego Tardelli and nearly opened the scoring.

Dominating the match, Flamengo threatened again in the 14th minute, with Juan unleashing a powerful shot from outside the box. In the 21st minute, Jonas deflected Diego's cross, but Bruno saved. In the 34th minute, Juan took a free kick, Jailton deflected it, and Ronaldo Angelim finished: 1-0 Flamengo.

Two minutes later, the referee awarded a dubious penalty by Fábio Luciano on Bruno Recife. Diogo took the shot, and Bruno saved it, but the assistant referee called it back. On the second attempt, Diogo scored: 1-1 at Canindé. In the 42nd minute, after a rebound in the penalty area, Ibson finished for the goal: 2-1 Flamengo.

Early in the second half, referee Evandro Rogério Roman awarded a penalty to Jailton on Jonas. Diego struck well to equalize once again: 2-2. In the 16th minute, Patrício took a free kick and forced Bruno into a good save.

In the 19th minute, Patrício burst into the box from the left and passed the ball past Bruno. Cristian cleared it for a corner before the ball went in. Shortly after, Diego Tardelli, already on a yellow card, handled the ball and was sent off.

In the 31st minute, Diogo burst into the box and shot just wide of Bruno's left post. A minute later, the Portuguesa forward dribbled past Fábio Luciano and fired a powerful shot, but Bruno prevented the player's third goal of the match.

In the 38th minute, Ibson received the ball in the box, fired a cross-shot, and Sérgio saved it. Maxi took a shot from the rebound, and the defender cleared it for a corner. In the 43rd minute, Juan was awarded a penalty by Gavilán. Ibson saved twice, but Sérgio secured the equalizer for the home team.

On Sunday, Flamengo faces Botafogo at Maracanã.

PORTUGUESA 2 X 2 FLAMENGO:\ Location: Canindé, São Paulo (SP)\ Date/time: 23/7/2008 - 21:45 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Referee: Evandro Rogério Roman (Fifa/PR)\ Assistants: Roberto Braatz (PR) and José Amilton Pontarolo (PR)\ Yellow cards: Gavilán, Sérgio, Preto (POR); Diego Tardelli, Fábio Luciano, Bruno, Juan (FLA)\ Red cards: Diego Tardelli (19'/2nd half)\

GOALS: Ronaldo Angelim, 34'/1st half (0-1); Diogo, 39'/1st half (1-1); Ibson 42'/1st half (1-2); Diogo, 2'/2nd half (2-2)

PORTUGUESE: Sergio; Patrício (Wilton Goaino 34', 2nd half), Bruno Rodrigo, Ediglê and Bruno Recife; Gavilán, Preto and Edno; Diogo, Jonas and Washington (Vaguinho 32', 2nd half). Coach: Valdir Espinosa.\ FLAMENGO: Bruno, Jaílton, Fábio Luciano and Ronaldo Angelim; Léo Moura, Cristian, Ibson and Juan; Éder (Maxi/28', 2nd half), Diego Tardelli and Souza (Obina/20', 2nd half). Coach: Caio Júnior.\

photo: globoesporte.com

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