Botafogo was proclaimed champion of the 2024 Brazilian League this Sunday, after beating São Paulo 2-1 on the last matchday, and ended the season with an unprecedented double after winning its first Copa Libertadores eight days ago.
It is the third league title for the Rio de Janeiro team, which had not won the Brazilian Championship since 1995.
Botafogo wins in the added
In a Nilton Santos stadium full to the brim, the Venezuelan playmaker Jefferson Savarino He put the Rio team ahead in the 37th minute. William Gomes tied in the second half, but Botafogo scored again in added time through Gregory.
The Albinegro team finishes with 79 points in 38 games, six more than Palmeiras, who lost at home this Sunday, 0-1, against a Fluminense that was fighting not to go down to the second division.
The Botafogo, directed by the Portuguese Artur Jorge, It happens precisely to Palmeiras, League champion in 2022 and 2023.
Botafogo came out in front of their fans without the usual intensity, a draw was enough to lift the title and they started relaxed. São Paulo controlled possession in the early stages, but without biting.
However, little by little, Artur Jorge’s men were approaching the domains of Jandrei and Igor Jesus gave the first head warning.
Savarino opens the win
Was Savarino, who last day already scored andThe winning goal against Internacional, the one that found the goal with a class goal, kicking the ball before the goalkeeper comes out.
Almost at the same time, Colombian attacker Kevin Serna He scored for Fluminense at the Allianz Parque in São Paulo. Nilton Santos celebrated it as his goal.
Luiz Henrique, the figure
In the second half, Luiz Henrique, former Real Betis player and great figure of this Brazilian Championship, gave an overflowing recital and only the success of Jandrei in goal prevented him from scoring.
Botafogo forgave and São Paulo, in their first big opportunity, tied the match. William Gomes He stole the ball from a clueless Marlon and scored like a specialist in the 63rd minute.
Gregore, sent off in the Libertadores final, decides
But Botafogo did not stop believing and in the 92nd minute Gregore declared, the same player who was sent off as soon as the Copa Libertadores final began.
‘Fogão’ ends with an incontestable record: 23 wins, 10 draws and only 5 losses, with 59 goals for and 29 against.
Happy ending for a Botafogo driven by the checkbook and management of American magnate John Textor, owner of the club since March 2022.
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