Flamengo suffer setback in Campeonato Brasileiro

Flamengo drew 2-2 with Portuguesa to miss the opportunity to strengthen their position at the top of the Campeonato Brasileiro standings.

Gremio could climb to the top of the table with victory over Figueirense on Thursday after Flamengo dropped two points in a controversial contest which featured three penalties.

Ronaldo Angelim opened the scoring with a header after 30 minutes before referee Evandro Roman became the game's focus, awarding three spot kicks.

Diogo levelled from the spot for Portuguesa before Juan restored Flamengo's lead with a shot from inside the box.

But two minutes into the second half, Diogo equalised for a second time with his second penalty of the game.

Roman adjudged Juan to have been fouled inside the penalty area three minutes from time and pointed to the spot. But goalkeeper Sergio saved Ibson's shot to earn Portuguesa a point.

Man of the match Cristian said: 'It was a very strange game, mostly due to the bad performance of the referee.

'Anyway, when you can't win, you mustn't lose. Even more as visitors. Therefore I think it was a acceptable result.'

Flamengo now have 27 points at the top of the table.

Vitoria occupy second after Marquinhos scored twice in a 2-0 victory over Nautico, who had Negretti sent-off.

Iarley's first-half strike handed Goias a surprise 1-0 win over Cruzeiro despite the hosts having Julio Cesar dismissed midway through the second half.

Nilmar scored twice as Internacional climbed to sixth with a 2-0 defeat of Sao Paulo, while Vasco da Gama and Fluminense shared a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Edmundo scored twice for Vasco, with Leandro Amaral also on target, but Washington struck a double and Tarta also found the net for Fluminense.

Finally, Botafogo destroyed Atletico Mineiro 4-0 and Coritiba recorded a narrow 1-0 over bottom club Ipatinga.