Vasco wins in stoppage time and takes the lead in the race for the Rio de Janeiro state championship.
By a score of 1-0, Vasco reverses Botafogo's advantage and goes into the second leg needing only a draw; Botafogo now needs two goals to be crowned the 2015 Carioca champion; in case of another 1-0 victory for Botafogo, the decision will go to penalties.
Futnet - On Sunday afternoon, the Maracanã stadium hosted just over 45 fans to watch the first leg of the final between Vasco and Botafogo. Both teams struggled in the first half, relying on long, aimless passes and creating few chances. Even so, Vasco dominated possession and sought the goal more often. And so it came in the 46th minute. With a 1-0 victory, Vasco overturned Botafogo's advantage and goes into the second leg needing only a draw. Botafogo now needs two goals to become the 2015 Carioca champion. If Botafogo wins again 1-0, the match will go to penalties.
O JOGO
Botafogo started the game by igniting the match with Bill, who forced a great save from Martín Silva before the first minute. However, both teams overused direct play in the first half, highlighting a lack of purpose and creativity.
Vasco only managed to score in the 12th minute, when Dagoberto received a pass from Gilberto. The striker beautifully lobbed the ball over Giaretta, controlled it with his chest and shot, but sent the ball over Renan's goal. It would have been a fantastic goal!
At 18 minutes, Vasco da Gama returned to the attack with Julio dos Santos. The midfielder won the duel with Giaretta, but missed when trying to lob Renan. From then on, the game lost its rhythm and there were no plays of great importance.
However, the drop in performance was felt more acutely by the Botafogo team. Unable to make their midfield function effectively, the team from General Severiano saw Vasco exploit the spaces better and dominate possession.
The second half also took a while to get going. It wasn't until the 8th minute that there was a noticeable play: Bill appeared in the box, took Martín Silva out of the play and attempted a chip shot. But the ball went wide. A beautiful play at the Maracanã!
At 15 minutes, Vasco went on the attack with Bernardo, who crossed into the area looking for Júlio dos Santos. The midfielder headed dangerously, but wide to Renan's left.
A minute later, Rafael Silva took a shot from midfield. The ball took an unexpected spin and almost surprised the Botafogo goalkeeper.
At 20 minutes, Bill challenged the Uruguayan goalkeeper and almost opened the scoring.
With 30 minutes played, Pimpão received the ball unmarked on the right wing and unleashed a powerful shot, but it went wide.
Two minutes later, Gilberto received the ball at the edge of the area and shook off Rodrigo's marking. Free to shoot, the striker's shot was stopped by a good save from Martín Silva.
At 40, Arião led Botafogo forward and, with a powerful shot, hit the post.
When everything seemed settled, Rafael Silva's star shone. After a free kick taken by Bernardo, the striker received the ball alone and, opportunistically and with a first-time shot, pushed it into the net and celebrated with the fans.
With no time for anything else, the final whistle blows and the Vasco fans celebrate wildly.