Botafogo and Sao Paulo draw at Nilton Santos Stadium

On Wednesday (18), Botafogo hosted São Paulo for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores da América. In a match that saw the Rio de Janeiro team dominate the first half and enjoy greater balance in the second half, the score was 0-0. Now, São Paulo needs a simple victory at Morumbi to qualify for the semifinals of the competition.

First half

The start of the first half had few chances, with both teams studying each other more. Botafogo ended up being a little better, reaching the attack in the first minute, after a good play between Alex Telles and Almada, the full-back put it perfectly for Savarino, who tried a volley, but the shot was stopped by goalkeeper Rafael.

The Rio de Janeiro club would only come close to scoring again in the 11th minute, with a great counterattack, until the ball reached Luiz Henrique. The number 7 backheeled the ball and found Vitinho infiltrating from the side of the area, the number 22 simply rolled it back for Almada to finish close to the goalkeeper's post.

From the 15th minute onwards, Botafogo began to control the game, retaining more possession of the ball and remaining on the attack at all times. Despite this, they were not very effective in creating clear goal chances, although they did manage to score easily through long passes, crosses and even elaborate plays, but their finishing left a lot to be desired when it came to opening the scoring.

The main moves of the first half occurred sequentially at 34 and 35 minutes with Glorioso. The first occurred after a pass from goalkeeper John, Igor Jesus won the ball in the air and the ball fell to Luiz Henrique who quickly found midfielder Savarino. The number 10 cut inside and finished with placement and the ball hit the crossbar.

In the corner kick from the previous play, Igor Jesus wins the ball again in the air, putting it in the middle of the area. Luiz Henrique rises higher than the defense and hits the crossbar again. The referee then stops the game, calling the Botafogo striker offside.

Botafogo kept pressing in search of a goal before half-time. First, in the 38th minute, with Igor Jesus, who received a pass from Marlon Freitas at the edge of the box and shot dangerously. Then, in the 40th minute, it was Almada's turn to try his luck from outside the box and shoot over the goal. And in the 41st minute, it was Luiz Henrique's turn to receive a pass from Vitinho inside the box and shoot dangerously, over the goal, in the last chance of the first half.

_{Almada finishing from outside the area (Reproduction/Instagram/@libertadoresbr)}

Second half

The second half started in the same way as the first half, with few chances from either team, in a game that was more competitive than well-played. Botafogo was the first to arrive, in the 8th minute, after a corner kick, the ball ended up with defender Barboza, the ball deflected off Calleri and almost went into the goal.

São Paulo's defense, in addition to fumbling with the ball, was losing all the aerial challenges against the Rio de Janeiro team's attackers. On two occasions, after aerial plays, still in the sequence of attacks by Botafogo, goalkeeper Rafael saw a goal from Luiz Henrique and a header from Igor Jesus.

Botafogo continued to be better, but their intensity was no longer the same. The team only managed to finish again in the 26th minute, with Marlon Freitas outside the area. The ball ended up being weak and Rafael made a calm save in two stages.

São Paulo's first attempt on Botafogo's goal came in the 29th minute. After winning the battle in the attacking sector, Michel Araújo crossed, the Rio defense partially cleared and the ball fell to Luiz Gustavo, who shot first time, but was stopped by goalkeeper John.

São Paulo improved and began to create great goal chances. The best of the match for the visiting team came in the 30th minute. Calleri received a great pass from midfielder Michel Araújo, and completely alone, in the penalty area, the number 9 shot wide.

Botafogo responded in the 32nd minute with Almada. The Argentine received the ball at the edge of the area, cut inside and shot. The ball deflected off the São Paulo defense and forced Rafael to make a great save to prevent Botafogo from scoring.

Published by @libertadores

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_{Rafael defending Almada's shot in one of the great chances of the second half (Reproduction/Threads/@libertadores)}

In the 35th minute, it was Matheus Martins' turn to create danger. The striker, who had just entered the match, easily got past Ferraresi on the left side of the penalty area and came face to face with goalkeeper Rafael, finishing on top of the goalkeeper.

Botafogo regained control of the match in the final minutes, exchanging passes in the attacking half, but never again threatened the Tricolor goal. In a fast-paced game, the ball refused to go in, especially in the first half, and it ended 0-0.

The return match between the teams will take place next Wednesday (25), at Morumbi. A victory guarantees the qualification of either team. A draw, regardless of the score, will see the decision of the spot decided by penalty shootouts.

Featured Photo: Botafogo and São Paulo draw 0-0 at Nilton Santos (Reproduction/Threads/@libertadoresbr)