This Wednesday (23), Botafogo experienced one of the happiest nights in its history. Alvinegro beat Peñarol (Uruguay) 5-0 at the Nilton Santos Stadium, in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores semi-final, and got closer to playing in the final of the competition for the first time. All the goals in the match were scored in the second half. Savarino (two), Barboza, Luiz Henrique and Igor Jesus scored the goals. The place will be decided next Wednesday (30), in Montevideo, at the home of the Uruguayan team. The Rio team could even lose by four goals and still qualify for the final.
⚽🔥 Show @Botafogo! thrashed the @OficialCAP 5-0 in the first game of the CONMEBOL Semi-Final #Libertadores!
🔜 Return match takes place next Wednesday in Uruguay!#EternalGlory pic.twitter.com/JFXjtBbZAS
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@LibertadoresBR) October 24, 2024
In front of more than 42 thousand people at Nilton Santos, Botafogo struggled in the first half. Peñarol, quite withdrawn, did not offer spaces to the team led by Portuguese Artur Jorge.
The first 45 minutes were filled with few chances. The first clearest opportunity, in fact, came from the Uruguayan team. At 24, after a tackle near the entrance to the area, John put it in for a corner.
Closer to the end, Botafogo created two chances with Luiz Henrique. In the first he cleared two markers and shot over. He then made a similar move and kicked for Aguerre’s defense.
Overwhelming second half
The difficulties of the first stage were not repeated in the second. Just after 5 minutes, Botafogo finally leaked the Uruguayan bolt. Luiz Henrique found Savarino inside the area and the Venezuelan touched Aguerre’s exit to open the scoring.
⚽🎉 Stove Party! Savarino, twice, and Barboza scored goals for the @Botafogo in a span of 🔟 minutes!
🏆 CONMEBOL #Libertadores | #EternalGlory pic.twitter.com/2PbJHRaRpg
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@LibertadoresBR) October 24, 2024
The goals came out one after the other. In the 9th minute, after a corner kick, Alexander Barboza took advantage of the surplus and shot first time to expand.
The third goal didn’t take long. At 13, Luiz Henrique sent Vitinho on the right. The full-back played to Savarino inside the area, who finished. Aguerre couldn’t hold on and the goal came.
⚽🎉 Luiz Henrique, the scorer of the team’s fourth goal @Botafogo on an epic night at Nilton Santos!
🏆 CONMEBOL #Libertadores | #EternalGlory pic.twitter.com/c1L3oDYE0j
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@LibertadoresBR) October 24, 2024
At 27 came the fourth. In a counterattack, Savarino launched Luiz Henrique into the area and the attacker skillfully played over the goalkeeper to expand.
Six minutes later came the final blow. In another counterattack, Igor Jesus passed to Almada, who shot hard. Aguerre partially defended and the number 99 took advantage to score with a header, covering the goalkeeper.
⚽🔥 To close the account! Igor Jesus sealed the victory @Botafogo by 5-0!
🏆 CONMEBOL #Libertadores | #EternalGlory pic.twitter.com/qaDQdQxHzV
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@LibertadoresBR) October 24, 2024
With a great advantage, the ecstasy at Nilton Santos was palpable. The team – leader of the Brazilian Championship – is very close to its first Libertadores decision.
