Botafogo draws with Vitória and loses the lead in the Brasileirão

On Saturday night (23), Botafogo hosted Vitória at the Nilton Santos Stadium to play a match valid for the 35th round of the Brazilian Championship. Glorioso entered the field in search of the three points to remain at the top of the table, depending solely on winning the dispute. The game ended with a score of 1-1 after a draw between the two teams.

Tight dispute for leadership

Botafogo, after drawing with Atlético Mineiro in the last round, Wednesday (30), was just two points behind Palmeiras, vice-leader, which left Alvinegro with greater pressure in the championship.

The teams occupying the first two positions needed victory to reach the lead. Verdão, in the event of a Botafogo defeat or draw, would need to win the game against Atlético Goianiense, bottom of the competition.

First half

The match started at 7:30 pm, with Vitória already trying to get bigger. Glorioso managed to balance the passes with the opponent, even achieving some shots, like those from Savarino, and goal attempts. 20 minutes into the match, the visiting team opened the scoring after player Alerrandro, shirt 9, found the back of the net, leaving the home team at a disadvantage.

The sequence of the first half saw some attempts by Botafogo to score a draw, which did not happen. Players like Vitinho, Bastos and Tchê Tchê were highlights in the last minutes of the stage. In the 39th minute of the match, Igor Jesus almost scored to make everything equal, but, with a mix-up with the ball in the small area, the score remained at 1-0.

Second half

In the second stage of the match, Botafogo entered the field with the intention of achieving at least a draw, and then, later, the turnaround. In the 12th minute of the match, Alvinegro tried once again, with the ball alternating between the feet of different players on the team, resulting in nothing. At 18, a failed attempt by Savarino, who tried to score, but couldn't.

Halfway through the first half, Artur Jorge decided to make a substitution, placing midfielder Óscar Romero in Gregore's place, changing the game's tactics. 30 minutes into the match, Alerrandro, who scored the match's goal, was also substituted.

At the end of the match, with just three minutes left in regular time, the score was tied after Wagner Leonardo, a Vitória player, scored an own goal, leaving it 1-1. With 45 minutes, Botafogo's comeback almost happened, but was blocked by the opposing defense. In the last minute of the game, Tiquinho Soares received a red card and was expelled from the match, keeping Botafogo with one player less.

LET'S GO! EVERYTHING THE SAME AT NILTON SANTOS! pic.twitter.com/IHceMEmx8Q

— Botafogo FR (@Botafogo) November 24, 2024

_{Second goal of the match, scored by Wagner Leonardo (Video: reproduction/X/@Botafogo)}

The match ended with a draw between the two teams, which made Palmeiras, who won the round, the leading club. For Botafogo to reach the position again, they must beat Alviverde in the confrontation between the two, which will define the leadership.

Next matches and position in the table

In round 36, Botafogo will face Palmeiras, who leads the championship after the victory over Atlético-GO, next Tuesday (26), at Allianz Parque, at 9:30 pm. Vitória, on the other hand, will face Fortaleza next Sunday (01), at Barradão, at 6:30 pm.

Featured photo: players on the field during the match (Reproduction/X/@Botafogo)