Copa Libertadores Review: River rescue late draw on day of stalemates

Camilo Mayada equalised with three minutes remaining as visiting River Plate drew 2-2 against Flamengo on Wednesday.

Published : Mar 01, 2018 10:01 IST

Last season's semi-finalists River Plate kicked off their Copa Libertadores campaign with an entertaining draw in Brazil, which was the story of the day in South America.

Camilo Mayada equalised with three minutes remaining as visiting River rescued a 2-2 draw against Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.

Argentine giants River twice trailed and responded on both occasions in the four-goal Group Four thriller at Estadio Nilton Santos.

After a scoreless opening half, Henrique Dourado converted a 54th-minute penalty to put Brazilian hosts Flamengo ahead.

Flamengo's lead barely lasted a minute as Rodrigo Mora glanced a header past former Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves.

The home side were back ahead in the 66th-minute when Everton finished powerfully beyond Franco Armani but River were not done – Mayada scoring from distance during the closing stages.

It was not the only draw midweek, with the three other fixtures ending all-square.

Roberto Ordonez cancelled out Marcos Riquelme's opener as Delfin drew 1-1 at home to Bolivar in Group Two.

Nacional played out a goalless draw with Estudiantes in Group Six, while the Group Seven clash between Millonarios and Corinthians ended 0-0.