The 2024 Brazilian Championship belongs to Botafogo. This Sunday (8), in a packed Nilton Santos stadium, Alvinegro defeated São Paulo 2-1 and won their third national title in history, the first since 1995. National Radio broadcast the match live.
IT’S TIME FOR JOY! 🇧🇷🏆
FORGED IN COURAGE, BOTAFOGO MAKES HISTORY ONCE AGAIN AND CONQUERS THE BRASILEIRÃO! IT’S A CHAMPION! 💪🏾🔥 #TEMPODEBOTAFOGO #BOTAFOGOCAMPEÃO pic.twitter.com/OnJu3F8GWP
— Botafogo FR (@Botafogo) December 8, 2024
Savarino opened the scoring for Botafogo in the first half and William equalized in the second. In stoppage time, midfielder Gregore scored the winning goal. Glorioso – champion of the Libertadores da América for the first time eight days ago – reached 79 points, their best campaign in the history of the competition in the era of straight points. Palmeiras (who lost to Fluminense 1-0 at home) finished runner-up, with 73 points.
The game
In front of 41,986 people, the biggest audience at the Nilton Santos stadium of the year, Alvinegro entered the field full of expectations for the confirmation of a title that escaped in 2023. São Paulo, with no more objectives to achieve in the championship, put an alternative lineup into the game .
With both teams slow (a draw would guarantee Botafogo the trophy), chances took a while to emerge. Little by little, Alvinegro began to impose its style. With a cross from the right, Igor Jesus almost opened the scoring, but the header ended up in the hands of goalkeeper Jandrei.
The first goal came at 36. After stealing the ball, Igor Jesus passed it to Savarino, who covered goalkeeper Jandrei with a classy touch.
Alvinegro almost scored afterwards, but Jandrei made a difference twice: first with Alex Telles’ point-blank finish and then with Igor Jesus’ rebound.
Back in the second half, Botafogo continued to press and almost scored with Luiz Henrique, but the striker’s shot from the edge of the area again ended up in the hands of Jandrei, who made a great save.
In a moment of inattention, in the 18th minute, São Paulo found their goal. Marlon Freitas allowed William Gomes to steal the ball near the black and white area and, with a free view, beat goalkeeper John with a shot with his left leg.
From then on, the match lost in emotion, with both teams satisfied with the result and without creating any danger for the opponent.
The goal that defined the score came in the final play, at 47. Jandrei tried to play, the Tricolor defense faltered, Gregore stole the ball and finished to score the winning goal.
YOU CAN CELEBRATE! 🔥🔥🔥 #Come onBOTAFOGO pic.twitter.com/3033WgQQGt
— Botafogo FR (@Botafogo) December 8, 2024
With this Sunday’s victory, Botafogo equals the feat of Santos (in 1962 and 63) and Flamengo (in 2019), winning the Brazilian Championship and Libertadores da América titles in the same year.
The team’s goals don’t stop there: next Wednesday (11), the FIFA Intercontinental Club Tournament begins, facing Pachuca (Mexico) from 2pm (Brasília time).
* Article updated at 6:30 pm with more information.
