Botafogo sinks Cruzeiro and equals Corinthians' record.
With the 1-0 victory, the Rio de Janeiro team reaches 55 points and puts the Minas Gerais team close to relegation to the second division.
Uruguayan striker Loco Abreu kept Botafogo in the fight for the Brazilian Championship title. A fan favorite, he scored the only goal in Botafogo's 1-0 victory over Cruzeiro on Saturday night at the Engenhão stadium. This brought the Rio de Janeiro team to 55 points, keeping them in third place, just two points behind league leaders Vasco, who play on Sunday.
In a tense match, partly due to Cruzeiro's situation – threatened with relegation, currently in 15th place with 34 points – Botafogo tried to impose themselves from the start, but lacked effectiveness. Playing at home, the Rio de Janeiro team had more possession. However, they couldn't finish their chances. Loco Abreu, up to that point, had a lackluster performance.
At the end of the first half, Botafogo's coach, Caio Júnior, went onto the field to complain about the refereeing of Wilton Pereira Sampaio. He was sent off, as was the team doctor, Luiz Fernando Medeiros.
The second half also started very nervously. Cruzeiro depended heavily on the Argentinian midfielder Montillo, the only one capable of creating anything for the Minas Gerais team. However, after 10 minutes, Botafogo opened the scoring: in a quick attack down the left, Elkeson crossed and Loco Abreu headed the ball past Fábio.
The goal gave Botafogo authority, and after that, they wasted several opportunities. Cruzeiro, cornered, tried to react in a disorganized way. And they only threatened goalkeeper Jefferson twice. In the end, the Botafogo fans felt relieved with the result.
Botafogo also made a beautiful gesture, dedicating Saturday's victory to radio broadcaster Luiz Mendes, from Rádio Globo, who died last Thursday at the age of 87 and was a fan of the club.
CREDITS:
Botafogo 1 x 0 Cruzeiro
Botafogo - Jefferson; Alessandro, Antônio Carlos, Fábio Ferreira and Cortês; Lucas Zen (Léo), Renato, Maicosuel and Elkeson (Everton); Herrera (Caio) and Loco Abreu. Coach - Caio Júnior.
Cruzeiro - Fábio; Léo, Victorino and Naldo; Marquinhos Paraná, Charles (Élber), Roger, Montillo and Diego Renan; Anselmo Ramon (Keirrison) and Farías (Wellington Paulista). Coach - Vágner Mancini.
Goal - Loco Abreu, at 10 minutes of the second half.
Referee - Wilton Pereira Sampaio (DF).
Yellow card - Herrera and Farías.
Income - R$ 255.790,00.
Attendance - 12.397 paying spectators.
Location - Engenhão Stadium, in Rio