Internacional wins Libertadores Cup with dramatic tie

	Tinga scores Internacional's second goal in the final of the Libertadores Cup. Antonio Scorza/Getty Images

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil -- Internacional won the Libertadores Cup in dramatic style on Wednesday, clinging on for a 2-2 draw at home to Sao Paulo in the final's second leg to win 4-3 on aggregate.

Internacional, 2-1 ahead from the first leg, twice led in the all-Brazilian tie but suffered a nail-biting finale with ten men as Sao Paulo levelled with five minutes to play and nearly snatched a third.

Striker Tinga gave Internacional a 2-1 lead in the 66th minute but was immediately sent off as he was given a second yellow card by World Cup final referee Horacio Elizondo for his goal celebration.

Lenilson levelled in the 85th minute and Internacional goalkeeper Clemer made two outstanding saves to stop the game going to extra-time as his side won their first Libertadores title.

Striker Fernandao had opened the scoring in the first half and Fabao levelled early in the second.

Three-times winners Sao Paulo made a lively start as Danilo forced Internacional goalkeeper Clemer to tip over his dipping shot in the seventh minute.

From the resulting corner, Uruguayan defender Diego Lugano volleyed over from close range after being left unmarked at the far post.

SMOKE DELAY

Play was then held up for five minutes as the smoke from dozens of flares brandished by home supporters blew across the pitch.

On the half hour, Jorge Wagner floated a free kick into the area and Sao Paulo goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni failed to hold the ball which fell to Fernandao, who fired home.

The hosts were close again as Indio's header bounced off the crossbar on the stroke of halftime.

Sao Paulo levelled in the 51st minute from another free kick. Internacional were caught trying to play offside but left Fabao free to score with a shot between Clemer's legs.

Sao Paulo pressed for a second but were caught out in the 66th minute.

Fernandao's header was brilliantly saved by Rogerio Ceni but the Internacional player reacted quickly, picked up the rebound and crossed for Tinga, who stooped to head in.

As he celebrated, Tinga lifted up his jersey revealing a T-shirt with the words "Thank you, Jesus" and was dismissed by Elizondo, who sent off Frenchman Zinedine Zidane in the World Cup final against Italy.

Substitute Lenilson scrambled the equaliser in the 85th minute to set up a nerve-wracking finale for the home crowd.

In the 89th minute, Clemer palmed over Alex Dias's header at the far post and he made a similar save shortly afterwards to deny the visitors again.

Both the Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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