Flamengo earn late draw with leaders Internacional

RIO DE JANEIRO - A stoppage-time goal from Brazil international midfielder Everton Ribeiro earned defending champions Flamengo a 2-2 draw at Internacional in their battle for the Brazilian Serie A leadership on Sunday.

Inter took the lead in the seventh minute when Patrick Bezerra's cross from the left side of the penalty area was met by Abel Hernandez, who swept home a first-time finish.

Fiorentina loanee Pedro equalized four minutes later, rifling in a low 20-yard effort after a counterattack.

Inter playmaker Thiago Galhardo then scored his 15th goal in 17 league matches this season with a cool finish after pouncing on an errant defensive back pass.

But Flamengo rallied with a series of narrow misses and they were finally rewarded when Everton latched onto Gerson's cross by angling a header past goalkeeper Marcelo Lomba.

The result at the Beira-Rio stadium meant Internacional remained top of the 20-team standings, equal on points with Flamengo but with a superior goal difference.

In other fixtures on Sunday, Gremio won 2-1 at Athletico Paranaense, Fluminense clinched a 3-1 home win over Santos and Palmeiras won 3-1 at Atletico Goianiense.