Flamengo’s hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stages of the Copa Libertadores suffered a blow last night as they were held at home to Bolivian side Bolívar.
It finished 2-2 at the Maracanã as although two goals from Éverton had given the host a second half lead, substitute Ricardo Pedriel found the net 17 minutes from time to equalise for the visitors.
Flamengo had the best of the opening chances and Elano was influential. He crossed in for Víctor Cáceres but the Paraguayan could only direct his header before Hernane had a curled effort easily saved.
Bolívar sub Edu Moya tested home keeper Felipe before the Gabriel should have opening the scoring but after receiving Hernane’s pass scuffed his shot wide.
A goalless opening 45 only wetted the appetite for an exciting second period with Spaniard José Luis Capdevila giving the away side the lead.
Juan Carlos Arce showed good strength to get to the byline, he cut back for William Ferreira and the Uruguayan teed up Capdevila perfectly to curl into the net.
Flamengo were level minutes later though as Elano free-kick was punched out and Éverton latched onto the rebound before his measured shot curled past various bodies to equalise.
Minutes after Ferreira had missed a great chance for the visitors Éverton grabbed his second of the game, firing into the roof of the net after Bolívar had failed to clear inside the box.
That wasn’t the end of the drama though as Ferreira made up for his previous miss by assisting the equaliser for Pedriel and as the full time whistle went boos rang out inside the Maracanã.
Flamengo have three matches left in Group 7 but their next two are away and they’ll now need to grind out an away result or face a possibly early exit from the competition.
