In a thrilling match, Flamengo and Fluminense drew 2-2 this Sunday afternoon at Maracanã Stadium. The draw left Flamengo in seventh place in the Brazilian Championship, with 37 points. Marcelinho Paraíba and Kleberson scored Flamengo's goals.

With absolute dominance in the stands, Flamengo launched an attack early in the match, with Marcelinho Paraíba and Everton tormenting the Tricolor defense. Fluminense responded in the seventh minute. Arouca invaded the box dangerously, but Léo Moura saved the red-and-black team.

In the 11th minute, Roger crossed, Jailton headed it away, and the ball fell to Conca. The Argentine fired a powerful shot from the edge of the box: 1-0 Fluminense. Flamengo was unfazed by the goal and continued attacking Fluminense. In the 13th minute, Marcelinho Paraíba received the ball from Juan inside the box and shot just wide of Fernando Henrique's post. Soon after, Everton sent a cross-shot, but Obina and Marcelinho couldn't connect.

In the 25th minute, after two great saves by Fernando Henrique from Toró's shots, Marcelinho Paraíba took advantage of Everton's cross to tie the match: 1-1. Five minutes later, Obina received a beautiful pass from Juan, invaded the area, but the shot went wide.

In the last good move from the red-black team in the first half, Toró received the ball in the penalty area and shot hard, but Fernando Henrique, the best player for the tricolor team, made another good save.

In the second half, Everton, Marcelinho Paraíba, and Juan continued to torment the Fluminense defense. Just 40 seconds in, Everton and Marcelinho played a beautiful one-two, but the number 22's shot went over the bar. With Flamengo well organized, Fluminense only threatened with aerial balls sent to Washington.

Giving Fluminense no chance, Flamengo nearly scored a second goal after a stunning solo effort by Juan. The Brazilian full-back left two Tricolor players behind, but his shot was weak, making Fernando Henrique's job easier.

Fluminense's first good move of the second half came from Eduardo Ratinho, who fired a dangerous shot that forced Bruno into a good save. The Gávea team responded quickly. Léo Moura burst into the box and fired a powerful shot. Fernando Henrique saved Fluminense again.

In the 20th minute, debutant Everton dribbled past three players, burst into the box from the left, and sent a cross-shot just wide of the Fluminense goalkeeper's left post. In the 21st minute, Mauricio fired a long-range shot to break the tie: 2-1 Fluminense.

With the goal conceded, Flamengo launched an attack in search of an equalizer. In the 43rd minute, the red-and-black team was rewarded for their fine performance. Sambueza crossed, and Kleberson scored with a header: 2-2 at the Maracanã.

CREDITS:

FLAMENGO 2 X 2 FLUMINENSE\ Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Date/time: 31/8/2008 - 18:10 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Referee: Leonardo Gaciba da Silva (Fifa-RS)\ Assistants: Ednilson Corona (Fifa-SP) and Alessandro Alvaro Rocha de Matos (Fifa-BA)\ Revenue/attendance: R$ 1.011.637,00 / 56.074 paying spectators\ Yellow cards: Arouca (FLU)\ Red cards: none\

GOALS: Conca, 11'/1st half (0-1); Marcelinho Paraíba, 25'/1st half (1-1); Maurício, 22'/2nd half (1-2); Kleberson, 43'/2nd half

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Jaílton, Fabio Luciano and Ronaldo Angelim; Leo Moura, Toró (Erick Flores, 34'/2nd half), Kleberson, Everton (Sambueza, 25'/2nd half) and Juan; Marcelinho Paraíba and Obina (Maxi, 14'/2nd half). Coach: Caio Junior.

Fluminense: Fernando Henrique, Thiago Silva, Luiz Alberto and Roger; Eduardo Ratinho (Tartá, 15'/2nd half), Arouca, Maurício (Romeu, 26'/2nd half) and Junior Cesar; Conca (Fernando, 34'/2nd half) and Everton Santos; Washington.