1-1: Botafogo qualified for the Libertadores group stage

Botafogo qualified this Wednesday for the group stage of Libertadores Cup of America after drawing 1-1 with Bragantine, a result that gives confidence to the Brazilian club after the disaster it suffered in the league last year. The tie at Bragantino’s Nabi Abi Chedid stadium, with goals from Júnior Santos for Botafogo and another from Talisson for the rivals, was enough for the Rio club to reach the group stage for the first time in seven years , after winning 2-1 in the first leg.

The first half saw a very even game between both teams, with lots of passing but few scoring opportunities. Already in the second, Bragantino was forced to press against a Botafogo who stayed on the defensive and played on the counterattack. In one of the attacks, Uruguayan full-back Damián Suárez received a red card for tripping forward Juninho Capixaba as he approached the Botafogo goal.

Despite playing with one fewer player, 30 minutes into the second half, Botafogo opened the scoring with a goal from forward Júnior Santos, author of the other two goals in the first leg. With only five minutes left in the second half, Bragantino moved and hope was restored with a goal from Talisson after Capixaba’s pass. However, the Rio team was able to withstand the last attacks of the opponent thanks to a tight defense and the good hands of the goalkeeper, Paraguayan Gatito Fernández.

The move to the group stage confirms, for now, the million-dollar transfer policy carried out by its owner, the American magnate John Textor. Since January, the Rio team has had nine wins, three draws and just three losses under the leadership of interim coach Fábio Matías. With these good results, the team tried to leave the bitter end of the last league, led by Botafogo by 13 points and then lost after a series of defeats, finally finishing in fifth place.