In front of nearly 70,000 fans at the Maracana stadium on Sunday, host Fluminense battled to a 2-2 draw against cross-town rival Vasco da Gama. The game marked Deco's official debut in his return to Brazil while playing for Fluminense
Fluminense scored the game's first goal in the 6th minute. Off a corner kick, fullback Gum followed up his own rebounded header, knocking the ball past Vasco da Gama's goalie Fernando Prass.
Vasco da Gama responded in the 37th minute when Carlos Alberto rolled the ball to a wide-open Eder Luis who then tapped the ball into the Fluminense net. The team then took the lead in the 47th minute when Carlos Alberto broke free on a fast break. The midfielder passed the ball off to a cutting Fagner who then slipped the ball under a diving keeper Fernando Henrique.
Fluminense then tied the match in the 59th minute. Picking up on a loose ball, Julio Cesar made the Vasco da Gama defense pay by nailing the ball into the back of the goal.
The result of Sunday's game takes Fluminense to 33 points, remaining in first place. In the 16th round of the Brazilian Championship, Fluminense will play host to Goias on August 25.
Vasco da Gama remains in ninth place with 21 points. In the next round of play, Vasco da Gama will travel to face Sao Paulo on August 25.