With a saving goal from Ramiro Carrera, Lanús avoided defeat on Wednesday and left the Copa Sudamericana semifinal series level after a 1-1 draw against Cruzeiro at a smoke-filled Mineirão stadium in Belo Horizonte, due to repeated flare lighting in the stands.

The match started fifteen minutes late due to the smoke caused by the flares, which also briefly halted play at the beginning of the second half.

The Brazilian side took the lead in the 50th minute through Kaio Jorge after a poor clearance from Nahuel Losada, but the Argentine team responded with a Carrera header to equalize in the 73rd minute.

The return leg will take place in a week at La Fortaleza.

Cruzeiro, despite the passionate support from their fans, has yet to secure a victory under former Brazil national team coach Fernando Diniz after a month in charge.

The team started too slowly for a semifinal in the Conmebol's second-tier tournament.

Their key players—Gabriel Veron, Matheus Henrique, and Matheus Pereira, the latter recently called up to the Brazilian national team—failed to shine, and the absence of explosive Argentine forward Lautaro Díaz was noticeable.

Lanús seemed content with the draw, knowing the tie would be decided at their home ground. Cruzeiro didn’t challenge them much either.

Both goalkeepers had little to do in the first half as both teams resorted to long-distance shots in an attempt to break the deadlock. The closest was Matheus Henrique, whose effort skimmed the post.

For Lanús, Marcelino Moreno and Walter Bou tried their luck, with Bou having a beautiful goal disallowed by the assistant referee and VAR for a marginal offside during a set-piece.

In the second half, the goals came—one for each side, both from set-pieces.

Cruzeiro struck first. Matheus Pereira took a free kick from the left flank, and Mateus Vital, who had just come onto the field, pounced on the rebound, firing a shot.

Losada couldn't hold onto the ball, and Kaio Jorge, quick to react, capitalized on the gift to score easily. It was the former Juventus player’s third goal of this Sudamericana.

The crowd roared and reignited flares, causing another interruption in play just as Cruzeiro was building momentum.

Instead of helping their team, the delay seemed to harm them. After the restart, Lanús equalized from a corner kick, with Marcelino Moreno finding Carrera’s head for the crucial goal.

Cruzeiro made a lackluster attempt to regain control, but they remained disconnected throughout the game. A well-earned draw for Ricardo Zielinski’s Lanús, who stayed composed in Brazil despite the chaotic atmosphere.