Struggling and with a goal in the last shot, Botafogo eliminates Sergipe and advances in the Copa do Brasil

Botafogo is qualified for the next phase of the Copa do Brasil. But there is little reason to celebrate. The alvinegro lived a disastrous night in Aracaju. With one of his worst performances of the season, he got a place in a suffered 1-1 draw with Sergipe, with Adryelson scoring the saving goal after 54 minutes of the second half.

At the end of the game, a lot of confusion. Disgusted with the many minutes of added time — and with the goal that ended up coming out beyond the established time —, the people from Sergipe attacked referee Braulio da Silva Machado, who ended up being attacked.

In the second phase, Botafogo will face Brasiliense, who eliminated Athletic-MG.

The financial and technical distance between Botafogo and Sergipe is immense. One is in Serie A, the other in D. One has a millionaire salary sheet encouraged by the SAF and investments by John Textor, the other has very modest figures (about R$ 200 thousand for the entire cast).

Nothing worked for Luís Castro’s Botafogo in Aracaju. The attack was sleepy, the midfield mismatched and the defense in trouble. During the first 45 minutes of the game, Sergipe had control of the actions and the best chances. Augusto Potiguar opened the scoring with a beautiful free kick, with no chance for Lucas Perri.

Without Tiquinho Soares, Matheus Nascimento had a golden chance to prove himself. The performance, however, was erased. Without Patrick de Paula, Gabriel Pires gained opportunity and also did not correspond. Goalkeeper Lucas Perri was one of the few to save himself in Batistão, preventing Sergipe from opening up a greater advantage, especially in the second stage.

Castro also barely managed to change the scenario of the match with the substitutions. Marlon Freitas, Gustavo Sauer, Luis Henrique and Lucas Piazon entered, but added little.

Sergipe only suffered in the final minutes, when the physical part affected the team’s performance. Exhausted, he gave spaces and was the target of excessive crosses from Botafogo. The alvinegro was collecting corner kicks and taking danger.

In the last of them, goal by Adryelson after corner kick. Sergipe’s complaint was widespread due to the nine minutes of added time given by Braulio da Silva Machado, who was attacked after the final whistle. The Military Police had to intervene. Sergipe supporters also entered the pitch and attacked coach Luís Castro. A melancholy ending.