| | RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Flamengo came from behind
to beat Palmeiras 4-3 in a thrilling first leg of the Copa
Mercosur final on Thursday.
Colombian striker Faustino Asprilla scored one goal and set
up another as Palmeiras twice took a second-half lead, only to
see substitute Caio reply almost immediately for Flamengo on
each occasion.
Striker Reinaldo then headed the winner for Flamengo five
minutes from time in the all-Brazilian match.
Flamengo needs a draw or win in Monday's second leg to win
the final, which unusually is decided on points and not goal
aggregate. If Palmeiras wins Monday, a third match will be
played regardless of the score.
Central defender Juan headed Flamengo in front after five
minutes but former Brazil defender Junior Baiano equalized just
before halftime, both goals the result of sloppy defending.
Palmeiras, the defending champions in the
made-for-television tournament, took control after the break and
seemed to be heading for an away win when Asprilla headed them
in front in the 67th minute.
Three minutes later, Caio headed Flamengo back on level
terms.
In the 73rd minute, Asprilla set up Paulo Nunes for
Palmeiras' third goal with an astute pass, only to see Caio
equalize once again in the 75th minute and Reinaldo grab the
winner ten minutes later.
The huge Maracana stadium was less than one-third full, as only
the small lower tier was opened to the public.
The giant upper second tier is closed because plastic seats are
being installed for the world club championship, which the
famous stadium will host in January.
Flamengo won despite last month's sacking of striker
Romario, its top scorer in the competition with seven goals.
The competition, in its second year, features 20 of South
America's biggest clubs who take part by invitation.
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