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Internacional Rodinei’s right-back was sent off in an extraordinary turn of events that saw Flamengo take a big step towards retaining their Brazilian league title on Sunday.
Much of the talk before the game was about Rodinei, who was only eligible for the match because a fan paid 1 million reais ($ 186,000) to secure his clearance to face the club that loaned him to Inter.
But Rodinei was sent off by a clumsy stamp four minutes into the second half and Flamengo took advantage, with Gabriel Barbosa scoring his sixth goal in six games in the 63rd minute to secure the goal. Mengao a vital 2-1 victory.
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– Vickery: Flamengo’s victory opens a spectacular race for the Brazilian title
Flamengo edged Inter to lead the Brazilian Serie A standings by two points with one game to play.
Flamengo play away from Sao Paulo in their last game on Thursday, while Inter play at home against Corinthians.
Inter, who would have won their first league title since 1979 with a win over the reigning champions, went 1-0 in the 12th minute when Edenilson scored from the penalty spot.
However, Giorgian de Arrascaeta equalized for the hosts 17 minutes later when he finished off a Bruno Henrique cut from the side home.
At the other end of the table, Flamengo’s archrival Vasco da Gama was almost certainly relegated to Serie B after a 0-0 draw against Corinthians.
Bahia’s previous 4-0 win over Fortaleza lifted them to 41 points and placed them in the bottom four, tied on points with Fortaleza.
Vasco has 38 points, but his goal difference is 12 goals lower than his closest rivals, so his fate is almost certainly sealed.
Coritiba and Botafogo have already fallen and Bahía or Fortaleza will join them.
