A draw that left no one satisfied at the Neo Química Arena. This Sunday (30), Corinthians and Botafogo were 2-2 at the end of the 36th round of the Brazilian Championshipin a duel broadcast live on Rádio Nacional.
The top seven in the Brasileirão will qualify for the Libertadores, with the last two in that block having to compete in the preliminary phase of the continental tournament. Glorioso, in sixth with 59 points, is classified for the South American competition, but is still looking for a direct place in the group stage. Timão, with 46 points, is ninth and depends on an eighth place being opened, which happens if Cruzeiro (third) or Fluminense (sixth) win the Copa do Brasil. But the São Paulo club can also guarantee its place if it wins this competition, in which it is a semi-finalist.
An inattention from Botafogo’s defensive system, taken advantage of efficiently by Corinthians, was the synthesis of the first half and took the score off the scoreboard in São Paulo. In the seventh minute, Léo Linck played with Newton at the edge of the area, but the midfielder ended up disarmed by midfielder Raniele, who entered the area, received it from striker Dieguinho and hit the goalkeeper.
More connected, Botafogo started to control the attacking actions after the break and managed to turn things around in a period of six minutes, with an important participation from Álvaro Montoro. At 14, the Argentine – who entered the opening stage, replacing fellow midfielder Jefferson Savarino, who was injured – opened on the left for full-back Cuiabano, who invaded the area and finished without a chance for goalkeeper Hugo Souza.
Goal Alert
Then, at 20, Montoro rolled for Allan to appear on the right and cross low into the area. The Corinthians defense didn’t move away and the ball went up high enough for midfielder Jordan Barrera to make a beautiful volley. An authentic goal that put Glorioso ahead at the Neo Química Arena.
The advantage, however, lasted until the 36th minute, when striker Vitinho made a great move, escaped to the right and touched the area for defender Gustavo Henrique to send into the net and leave everything equal. There was still time for, in a confusion between players from both teams, striker Jeffinho, a Botafogo reserve, to be sent off.
