Flamengo fall to last-minute Fluminense goal in Rio derby

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Flamengo v Fluminense - Maracana stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - January 6, 2021 Fluminense's Yago Felipe celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates REUTERS/Alexandre Loureiro

Reigning champions Flamengo missed a chance to close the gap on Serie A leaders Sao Paulo on Wednesday when they lost a last-minute goal and went down 2-1 to Rio rivals Fluminense.

Giorgian De Arrascaeta headed Flamengo 1-0 ahead after 40 minutes when he was first to react to a loose ball in the box, but Luccas Claro equalised 12 minutes into the second period with a deft header.

But just as the teams looked set to share the points at an empty Maracana stadium, Fluminense midfielder Yago seized on a loose pass and stabbed the ball into the net.

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Flamengo v Fluminense - Maracana stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - January 6, 2021 Fluminense's Luccas Claro celebrates scoring their first goal with teammate REUTERS/Alexandre Loureiro

The result leaves Flamengo in joint second place with Atletico Mineiro, seven points behind leaders Sao Paulo.

The win snapped a two-game losing streak for Fluminense and they sit in seventh place in the 20-team table.

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Flamengo v Fluminense - Maracana stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - January 6, 2021 Flamengo's Diego in action REUTERS/Alexandre Loureiro

(Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Flamengo v Fluminense - Maracana stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - January 6, 2021 Flamengo's Giorgian De Arrascaeta celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Alexandre Loureiro

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Flamengo v Fluminense - Maracana stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - January 6, 2021 Fluminense's Yago Felipe celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Alexandre Loureiro