Surprisingly given the fierce nature of the rivalry, there were few first half chances and the score remained 0-0 at the break.
Rafael Moura had gone closest for Fluminense with a header from Mariano’s cross, whilst at the other end Flamengo were clearly missing Ronaldinho, despite Renato Abreu only being denied by Diego Cavalieri’s good work.
After the break though it was a different story. with both sides creating chances and goals coming at either end.
Fifteen minutes into the second half and the deadlock was broken. The ball fell to Leandro Euzébio on the flank, whose excellent cross found Rafael Sóbis at the back post to head home. Advantage Fluminense!
Vanderlei Luxemburgo was unimpressed and sent on reinforcements in the shape of Negueba, Jael and Botinelli with the game there to be won.
It was the substitute Negueba who would play a key role in the equaliser, doing well in the build-up before Thiago Neves smacked the ball past Cavalieri to equalise.
This time Abel Braga would make three changes, intorducing Lanzini, Martinuccio and Souza in the hope of regaining the advantage and that is exactly what happened minutes later.
Souza escaped down the right, before delivering an inch perfect cross for Lanzini to turn home. The substitutions were working once more and Fluminense were back ahead.
With just five minutes remaining, Fluminense were surely heading for a win, but it was not to be.
Super-sub Botinelli was yet to have his dramatic say on the tie and in the 86th minute, he came alive. First, a delightful free-kick which struck the crossbar and went in with Cavalieri helpless.
Then, when the draw seemed inevitable he did it again. This time receiving the ball from experienced full-back Léo Moura before finishing into the bottom right corner to leave Flamengo in fourth spot, with ten games to go.
Subsequent to the final goal, Fluminense boss Abel Braga was dismissed for abusing the referee over perceived bad decisions. Fluminense will feel hard done by, but Flamengo’s come-back deserves great credit in the absence of their star-man Ronaldinho.
