Brazil Serie A Wrap: Vasco da Gama steal point late, Ceara win

Vasco de Gama escaped with a 1-1 draw in their match at home to Bahia courtesy of a 90th-minute equaliser in Brazil’s Serie A on Thursday.

Visitors Bahia led from the fifth minute of the match at Estadio Sao Januario, with forward Reinaldo the man on target.

And the strugglers appeared set to record a valuable win before striker Elton, on as a substitute, scored with seconds remaining to secure a point for the hosts.

They also lost defender Marcio Careca to a red card during the closing exchanges.

The draw leaves Vasco fifth, seven points behind Serie A leaders Corinthians.

After missing out on all three points, Bahia are 16th, just one point clear of the relegation zone.

Also on Thursday, a brace from Marcelo Nicacio helped Ceara come from behind to beat Atletico Paranaense 2-1.

The visitors went in front through midfielder Madson’s strike 15 minutes into the match, a lead Atletico held beyond the hour mark at Estadio Municipal Presidente Getulio Vargas.

Ceara levelled with Nicacio’s first on 73 minutes and the away side saw their task become harder when Gustavo Lazzaretti was shown a second yellow card with nine minutes to go.

They looked like holding out, until forward Nicacio struck again in the last minute to snatch all three points for the home side.

Ceara are now eighth with 18 points from 12 matches played, while Atletico remain bottom, seven points adrift of safety.