Argentina striker Barcos gives Palmeiras survival hope

Rio De Janeiro, Nov 5 – Argentina international striker Hernan Barcos struck an injury-time equaliser as Palmeiras maintained their slim hopes of avoiding relegation with a 2-2 draw against Botafogo in the Brazilan Serie A football league.

Uruguayan midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro gave Botafogo the lead at Palmeiras’ Fonte Luminosa Stadium Sunday with a 20th-minute header before Barcos tapped in at the far post after a Marcos Assuncao corner-kick, reports Xinhua.

Substitute Elkeson then made it 2-1 by heading in Lodeiro’ s cross but Barcos salvaged a point for the home side by controlling a long-ball with his chest then turning and firing a left-foot shot past Botafogo goalkeeper Jefferson.

Palmeiras are still seven points behind 16th-placed Bahia, the nearest to the relegation zone, with just four matches remaining in the season.

Barcos has now scored 27 goals for Palmeiras across all competitions in 2012 but said his focus is on keeping the club in Brazil’s top flight.

“I appreciate all the kind messages but I would give all of those goals back if it meant we survived (in the Serie A),” Barcos said on his Twitter account.

“We aren’ t going to give up hope. We know that it’ s going to be difficult but we have to believe until the end.”

In other matches Sunday, Sao Paulo drew 1-1 with Fluminense, Sport shocked hosts Vasco da Gama 3-0, Corinthians overcame Atletico Goais 2-0, Coritiba beat Atletico Mineiro 1-0 and Nautico defeated Internacional 3-0.