With the result, the current champion of Libertadores and Brazilian will have to win by three goals difference next Thursday (27), in Engenhão, to be with the Cup
If in 2024 it was the year of glory for the, in 2025 the Rio team has not yet geared. Still without a coach, Botafogo started behind the title of South American Recopa, when surpassed by 2-0, this Thursday, at El Cilindro, in Avellaneda, for the first leg. With the result, the current champion of Libertadores and Brazilian will have to win by three goals difference next Thursday, in Engenhão, to keep the cup. In case of a tie in the aggregate, the title will be decided on penalties. The duel was truncated in the first half.
Both teams were tactically disciplined and strong in marking. In the spaces found, rooms came out free and John made a great save. Botafogo was poorly offensive and little connected his attackers the best chance came out in Savarino’s kick under the goal. When the Brazilian game began to flow, Alexander Barboza committed a penalty in Martínez, marked after revision in VAR. Vietto charged hard and opened the scoring for the Argentines on 30 minutes. After the goal, the game stopped. With many faults, interruptions and discussions, Racing managed the result to the trip to the break.
The duel continued to tied in the second stage. Gradually, Botafogo could retain possession and exchange passes in search of the goal, but sinning in the transitions. Again, when he started to like the game, it was the racing he scored. In counterattack, Martinez came to face with John and expanded at 18.
At disadvantage, Botafogo launched the attack to reduce the damage. Despite being able to keep the ball in the attack, he left room in defense and suffered from counterattacks. Nardoni came out free in the area, but kicked badly. What was already difficult, worsened at 42, when Cuiabano was expelled, leaving Botafogo with no chance of reacting in the final stage.
Technical file
Racing 2 x 0 Botafogo
Racing – Arias; Di Césare, Colombo and Kyrós; Martire, Nardoni, Zuculini and Gabriel Rojas; Rooms (Ignacio Rodríguez), Adrián Martínez and Vietto (Zaracho). Technician: Gustavo Costas.
Botafogo – John; Vitinho, Danilo Barbosa, Alexander Barboza and Alex Telles; Allan (Rwan Cruz), Newton, Marlon Freitas and Savarino (Kauê Rodrigues); Igor Jesus and Matheus Martins (Cuiabano). Technician: Claudio Caçapa.
Goals – Vietto, 30 minutes into the first half. Adrián Martínez, 18 minutes into the second half.
Yellow Cards – Zuculini, Martyrire, Nardoni and Di Césare (Racing); Danilo Barbosa, Rwan Cruz, Newton and Alexander Barboza (Botafogo).
Red Card – Cuiabano (Botafogo).
Referee – Felipe González (Chi).
Income and public – not informed.
Local – El Cylinder Stadium in Avellaneda (ARG).
*With information from Estadão Content
Posted by Fernando Dias
