Corinthians and Botafogo drew 2-2 this Sunday, in Itaquera, in a match valid for the 36th round of the Brazilian Championship. The team from São Paulo had a solid first half, but dropped in performance in the final stage and allowed the visitors to react. The equalizing goal came in the final minutes, with Gustavo Henrique, after a move reviewed by the VAR that confirmed that the ball had not gone out.
Botafogo, without competing for titles in this final stretch, remains in fifth place, with 59 points. For Corinthians, the result has a greater impact: the team misses the chance to overtake São Paulo and reach 8th place. The main possibility of a place in the Libertadores for the Parque São Jorge team continues to be the Copa do Brasil, in which they will face Cruzeiro in the semifinals.
Corinthians had important reinforcements from the medical department: Hugo Souza and Matheuzinho among the starters, in addition to Maycon on the bench. Pushed by a packed Arena and under intense heat, the São Paulo team completely controlled the first 45 minutes.
Botafogo produced little in the initial stage. Davide Ancelotti’s team sat back, scored poorly and only finished for the first time in the 38th minute. The midfielders didn’t create and the attackers didn’t put pressure on Corinthians’ ball. On the Corinthians side, the proposal was clear: pressure from the beginning. The goal came early, in the 6th minute. After goalkeeper Léo Linck’s error with the ball, Raniele regained possession and activated Dieguinho. The 18-year-old returned the ball and left the steering wheel in front of the goal to open the scoring.
Despite their dominance, Corinthians were unable to expand. After half-time, Ancelotti moved Botafogo with Allan and Barrera to replace Newton and Joaquín Correa. The changes improved the Rio team. Early on, Raniele almost scored again, but Corinthians were already showing physical and technical decline. Fogão grew and equalized after 14 minutes. Cuiabano started from the left, received a precise pass from Montoro and finished firmly to beat Hugo Souza. The turning point came at 21: after a fight in the area, Barrera hit a bicycle kick and scored a beautiful goal.
Dorival Júnior responded with changes (Gui Negão, Angileri and Vitinho) in search of greater control of the game. The team almost tied with João Pedro, but Arthur Cabral saved on the line. The draw finally came in the final minutes. In a play played on the wing, Raniele managed to prevent the ball from coming out — as shown by the VAR check, despite complaints from Botafogo. Next, Vitinho dribbled past two markers and crossed for Gustavo Henrique to complete in the small area.
In stoppage time, the match ended in a tense atmosphere. A confusion involving Maycon and Allan triggered a cowardly attack by Jeffinho against the Corinthians steering wheel. The Botafogo player was sent off.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
