Palmeiras manages turnaround reduces distance to Botafogo – 11/01/2023 – Sport

In an electrifying game in the 31st round of the Brazilian Championship, Palmeiras managed a historic turnaround against leader Botafogo, beat their Rio rival 4-3 at the Nilton Santos stadium and entered the fight for the title once and for all.

The game had two completely different halves. The first was completely dominated by the Rio team, who took a 3-0 lead in the opening 45 minutes and seemed to have defined the match. In the second half, however, the roles were reversed, the young striker Endrick, just 17 years old, shone and led Palmeiras to a comeback, in one of the greatest games of the championship.

With the result, Botafogo reached 59 points, while Palmeiras reached 56, reducing the distance to the leader to just three points. Botafogo still has one game less, referring to the match against Fortaleza at Arena Castelão scheduled for November 23, after the suspension of the clash with Athletico-PR due to a lack of electricity at Nilton Santos.

With the support of approximately 34 thousand fans at home, the Rio team was not aware of coach Abel Ferreira’s formation in the opening 45 minutes. The first goal came in the 20th minute, with a shot by midfielder Eduardo from the edge of the penalty area after a cross from Victor Sá. Although the hit was not that strong, the ball deflected off defender Murilo and took away any chance of the goalkeeper’s defense.

In the 29th minute, Tchê Tchê expanded with a great goal, hitting a powerful shot from outside the area into the Palmeiras archer’s left corner. Weverton touched the ball, but was unable to stop Botafogo’s second.

Palmeiras’ first shot came just after 34 minutes, with a free kick taken by Raphael Veiga. In the next play, in a counterattack, Glorioso expanded. Júnior Santos led the counterattack to the edge of the opponent’s area and passed it to Tiquinho Soares, who crossed the ball to Weverton’s defense. On the rebound, Júnior Santos scored Botafogo’s third.

In the second half, Palmeiras came back much better, with the boy Endrick as the main highlight, while Botafogo was unable to repeat the good performance of the first half. After just 4 minutes, the young striker dominated the ball in midfield, advanced quickly towards the Botafogo area, leaving four defenders behind and hit a low cross to beat goalkeeper Lucas Perri and reduce the score for Palmeiras.

In the 30th minute of the final stage, defender Adryelson was sent off by referee Bráulio da Silva Machado, after a harsh tackle on striker Breno Lopes. The move ended up proving decisive for the final score. Botafogo still had a penalty in their favor in the 37th minute conceded by Tiquinho Soares, but the striker missed the opportunity to expand, stopping after a good save from Weverton.

Afterwards, the Rio club ended up punished with Endrick’s second goal, at 38, with a low shot from the edge of the area. At 44 minutes, the equalizer came. Argentine Flaco López, who had just replaced defender Luan, received a pass from Gustavo Gómez inside the small area and, unmarked, finished with a header.

The referee gave nine minutes of extra time in the second half and, in the 53rd minute, Palmeiras managed to turn things around. Defender Murilo received the ball inside the small area after a free kick from Raphael Veiga and, without letting the ball fall to the ground, hit it into the right corner of the Botafogo goal. “Botafogo has everything it takes to be champions, but Palmeiras will never stop chasing,” said Endrick after the final whistle.

In the next round, leader Botafogo faces Vasco in a Rio classic, on Monday (6), at the São Januário stadium. In the relegation zone with 31 points, Vasco faces Cuiabá this Thursday (2), at Arena Pantanal.

Palmeiras will face Athletico-PR, seventh place, on Saturday (4), at Arena Barueri. Allianz Parque cannot be used by the São Paulo team due to a show that will be held there.