Botafogo won at home this Wednesday by 2-1 against Palmeiras, in a lively and contested match between Brazilian clubs, taking the lead in the race for the quarter-finals of the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2024.
Luiz Henrique opened the scoring for Botafogo in the 21st minute; Murilo equalized ten minutes later, and almost immediately Igor Jesus scored the winning goal for the cariocas.
In a challenging match that tested the skills of the Portuguese coaches Abel Ferreira of Palmeiras and Artur Jorge, facing the 2023 Brazilian champion and the current league leader, the carioca team dominated at home despite the staunch resistance from the paulista.
Luiz Henrique was the standout player of the night, with a stunning header and several dangerous plays, with assists from Venezuelan Jefferson Savarino and Argentine Thiago Almada.
Argentine José Manuel ‘Flaco’ López shone for Palmeiras.
Both cariocas and paulistas started with an even offense, with three goal attempts seen in less than two minutes after the match began at the Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Venezuelan Jefferson Savarino gave the first scare to Weverton four minutes in, and then Murilo tried for Palmeiras with a shot that John saved.
Almost immediately, Luiz Henrique missed the chance for Botafogo to open the scoring by squandering a shot just meters from an empty net.
The midfielder, distressed, tried again shortly after, in another failed attempt that would have been disallowed for being offside anyway.
The third attempt was the charm for Luiz Henrique, who finally gave Botafogo the initial lead following a quick counterattack started by Thiago Almada.
Ten minutes later, Mauricio equalized the score for Palmeiras, but almost immediately Botafogo regained the lead with a beautiful goal from Igor Jesus.
After the break, Ferreira decided to give opportunities to the young talents of Palmeiras, sending Estêvão and Lázaro onto the field, who helped to pressure Botafogo.
The locals slowed down the pace and preferred to manage their advantage, which they maintained until the final whistle.
Despite Artur Jorge sending Tiquinho Soares, the team’s top scorer, onto the pitch, the forward found himself isolated as he lacked support from the replaced Savarino and Almada.