In a game characterized by the incessant fight of both teams in search of victory even on a very wet pitch thanks to the torrential rain that punished Caxias do Sul, Flamengo drew 2-2 with Juventude, this Sunday, in the twenty-seventh round of the Brazilian Championship.

Souza, who returned from suspension, was the team's standout performer, although he didn't find the net. The club's goals were scored by Leonardo Moura in the first half and by striker Leonardo, who replaced Maxi at halftime. The match also marked the debut of Argentine Colace, who came on as a substitute in the final minutes. The result kept the club out of the relegation zone.

The very wet pitch clearly hindered both teams, but it didn't prevent the first half from being played at a high pace. Flamengo's away game improved, and the team even scored a goal in the sixth minute, but the referee ruled it out, signaling Leonardo Moura for offside.

The move didn't dampen the team's spirits, nor did the full-back, who continued to support and ended up opening the scoring: in the 21st minute, Souza, one of the best players on the pitch, left the box, gave a beautiful pass and Léo Moura tapped it past Michel Alves.

The goal made the game even better. A minute later, striker Bruno headed the ball against the post and nearly equalized. In the 23rd minute, Léo Moura returned the favor to Souza, who received the ball in the box and wasted a great opportunity.

Two minutes later, Vanzini headed a weak header from a corner kick from the left, Bruno and Leonardo Moura failed to clear, and the home side equalized. After the goal, torrential rain again battered the pitch, and despite a fierce fight, neither team created any further opportunities.

Flamengo returned with striker Leonardo in place of Maxi, who, returning from injury after a month, felt the weight of the wet pitch, but it was Souza who caused the initial scare. In the first minute, he fired a shot from outside the box, forcing the opposing goalkeeper to palm it away with difficulty.

In the 5th minute, Cristian took a free kick from almost midfield, and Miche Alves tipped it out for a corner. Ronaldo Angelim finished the free kick, the ball deflected off the defense, and Leonardo collected the rebound, putting Flamengo back in front: 2-1.

Just like in the first half, however, it didn't take long for the team to concede the equalizer. In the 14th minute, the red-and-black defense got tangled up and the ball fell to Thiago, who shot into the left corner. Bruno chose to risk a glancing shot and was unable to prevent the second goal.

At 22 minutes, Flamengo almost took the lead again: after a mistake by the opposing defense, the ball fell to Léo Moura, who shot and Michel Alves made a great save.

Three minutes later, Souza, Flamengo's best player on the pitch, made another great play. On the left wing, he passed the ball between his marker's legs, crossed, and the opposing defense cleared it before Leonardo could finish. On the next play, Juventude attacked, and Bruno, with a great save, prevented Thiago's second goal.

With a vengeance, Souza gave Juventude another hard time in the 29th minute. After a beautiful run, despite being at a tight angle, he shot dangerously. On the rebound, Cristian challenged the defense, and the ball went out for a goal kick. Four minutes later, another missed chance: Jaílton crossed from the left, and the ball crossed the six-yard box without any of the red-and-blacks' feet getting a touch on it.

Juventude tried to mount pressure in the final minutes, but didn't pose much of a threat. On the contrary, in the 41st minute, Leonardo received the ball on the left edge of the box, advanced, and shot, but Michel Alves made a great save, palming it out for a corner. In stoppage time, Bruno made a fine save to prevent Tadeu from scoring the winning goal for the Gauchos.

JUVENTUDE 2 x 2 FLAMENGO

Location: Alfredo Jaconi Stadium, Caxias do Sul (RS)\ Referee: Evandro Rogério Roman (PR)\ Assistants: Roberto Braatz (Fifa/PR) and Rogério Rolim (PR)\ Yellow cards: Danilo, Ivo, Renan (JUV); Léo Medeiros, Jaílton, Fábio Luciano (FLA)\ Goals: Leonardo Moura, at 21min and Vanzini, at 25min of the first half; Leonardo, at 6min and Thiago, at 14min of the second half.\

YOUTH: Michel Alves, Danilo, Juliano Roberto, Nunes and William (Ivo); Marcão; Julio Cesar, Vanzini (Marcelo Costa), Renato (Thiago) and Alex Cazumba; Bruno and Tadeu.\ Coach: Beto Almeida.\

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Leo Moura, Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Romulo, Jailton, Cristian (Colace) and Toro (Leo Medeiros); Maxi (Leonardo) and Souza.\ Coach: Joel Santana.\