Atletico Junior of Barranquilla scored a late equaliser against Uruguayan side Racing Club to stay alive in the qualifying round of the Copa Libertadores.
Junior, who entered this qualifying round by having the best overall record in the Colombian league in 2009, scored the opening goal through Emerson Acuña in the 13th minute.
But Mathias Mirabaje equalised near the half hour and a header from Ignacio Pallas then made it 1-2 in the 67th minute.
Junior had been the dominant side throughout most of the match and applied even more pressure on their opponents in the closing minutes. The reward came in extra time when Martin Arzuage scored from an almost impossible angle, 2-2.
Both sides ended the match with ten players on the pitch. Racing had Martin Cauteruccio sent off in the 44th minute and Junior’s Roller Cambindo followed in the 74th.
The two sides meet again for the second leg on February 4. To advance to the group phase, Junior need a win or a high draw.
