Ronaldinho hits hat-trick in 5-4 Flamengo win
Reuters - Thursday 28 July 2011, 08:00
RIO DE JANEIRO - Ronaldinho scored a
hat-trick as Flamengo overcame a three-goal deficit to beat
South American champions Santos 5-4 away in an extraordinary
Brazilian championship match.
The former Barcelona and AC Milan forward, leading scorer in
the championship with eight goals, netted the equaliser and an
82nd minute winner as Flamengo fought back after Santos had
raced to a 3-0 lead in 26 minutes.
Borges scored two goals for the hosts before Brazil's
teenage forward Neymar weaved his way past four markers to add a
brilliant third in Wednesday's match.
Flamengo pulled one back when Ronaldinho opened his account,
taking advantage of a slip by Santos goalkeeper Rafael to score
from close range, then Thiago Neves notched another for the
visitors.
Brazil midfielder Elano missed a penalty for Santos before
Deivid headed Flamengo's equaliser from a corner, all before the
end of the first half.
The drama continued after the break as Neymar put Santos
back in front, before Ronaldinho took command, equalising with a
free-kick which went under the wall, then scoring the winner
with an angled shot.
Flamengo are third on 24 points from 12 games, four behind
leaders Corinthians.