Palmeiras defeats Botafogo with a turnaround and returns to the title race in the Brazilian League – Brazil

Fogao led at half-time 3-0

Abel Ferreira’s Palmeiras side remained in contention for the Brazilian League double, beating leaders Botafogo 4-3 on Wednesday, after arriving 3-0 down at half-time in their 31st match.

The home team completely dominated the first half, scoring three goals and could have scored twice as many, but in the second half, the visitors responded and, with the help of the sending off and local striker Tequinho Soares, they were able to turn things around. .

With this result, Palmeiras – who at half-time were nine points behind Botafogo, and with one more game to play – now have 56 points, in 31 matches, compared to 59, in 30, of the team that previously belonged to Luis Castro and Bruno. Lag.

Still in the competition are Gremio with 53 points (31 games), Atlético Mineiro with 52 points (31) and, in particular, Pido Caixinha’s Bragantino, who also has 52 points, but in only 29 games: today he is in 30th place, in the stronghold of Goiás, by Armando Evangelista.

In Rio de Janeiro, Botafogo played a wonderful first half, and scored through Carlos Eduardo, in the 21st minute, with the help of a successful ball by defender Chi Chi, in the 30th minute, with a wonderful shot from outside the area. and Junior Santos, 36, after leading a brilliant counter-attack.

After the break, Endrik pulled back, after 49 minutes, and gave Palmeiras confidence, but Botafogo held on, and his task became more complicated since the 76th minute, when Adrillson received a direct red card revealed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

However, even with the 10th minute on, Botafogo had a great chance to ‘finish’ the game, but in the 83rd minute, after being attacked inside the penalty area, former Porto player Tequinho Soares, the competition’s top scorer, saw Weverton defend a penalty kick. .

Palmeiras, which already seemed somewhat doubtful, gained a new “life” and, in the final part, “slaughtered” Botafogo, with Endric scoring two “goals”, in the 84th minute, and Argentine substitute José Lopez equalizing in the 84th minute. .89 Served by Paraguayan Gustavo Gomez.

In the 10 minutes of stoppage time, Abel Ferreira’s team searched for victory, which came in the last match, at the 90th + 9th minute, when Murillo touched the post, following a free kick scored by Rafael Vega from the left side.

By Lusa