That direct game is going to be huge. And while Palmeiras then face a tough team next wekeend (Athletico-PR) and Botafogo get an "easy" team, it's Vasco, so the rivalry/derby factor could mean a surprise. Some pundits are still looking at Botafogo as the de facto champions, but imagine being tied on points going into the break? This is far from over. Like you pointed out though, they have a game in hand. The postponed games, which will be 4 matches in total after next week's Libertadores final (postponing Flu x SP), are going to force CBF to extend the league an extra round, ending on December 6. Two of them will probably be very important for the title race: Fortaleza x Botafogo, which was postponed because of the power outage that forced Botafogo x Athletico-PR to be continued on Sunday last week, will obviously be important for Botafogo, but also for Fortaleza since losing the Sulamericana final means their only chance of Libertadores is climbing a few spots. Flamengo x Bragantino, which was postponed because Flamengo's leadership are arrogant assholes who tried to get the match played at the Maracana AFTER the Maracana was already handed over to CONMEBOL for the Libertadores final, could put Flamengo on the same number of points as Palmeiras, or Bragantino back in second place.
Remaining matches: Palmeiras: Botafogo, Athletico, Flamengo, Inter, Fortaleza, America, Fluminense, Cruzeiro Botafogo: Palmeiras, Vasco, Gremio, Bragantino, Santos, Fortaleza, Coritiba, Cruzeiro, Inter Flamengo: Santos, Fortaleza, Palmeiras, Flu, America, Bragantino, Atletico, Cuiabá, São Paulo As for our chances, I think there is a question mark as to if this new 3-5-2 system Abel is using is actually going to work against better teams. I think we will see against Botafogo.
Botafogo open the scoreboard. Deflected shot. But as I feared, too much space on the wing and too much space in the middle. They've been the better side so far.
Flamengo about to lose to Santos. Flamengo scored first, gave up a tying goal on a rebound, then had Gerson sent off for an elbow. No goals in the second half until a late rocket from 40 yards out by Santos went in to make it 2x1. With this, Flamengo stay all the way back in 6th place. Atlético-MG, who are up 1x0 move up and Grêmio won earlier so they are now 3 points ahead. That top 4 Libertadores spot could be very tough. Hoping Palmeiras can do something to turn their match around. Botafogo will be very secure if they open a 9 point lead and have 1 game in hand.
Damn. At this rate the narrative tomorrow will be back to "the title is decided" already. And now it really is almost over. Only 7 matches left for most chasing teams (and Botafogo has 8 to play).
Also, I guess I should set my bias aside for a bit and point out that Santos' win is huge for their fight against relegation. Goiás and Vasco don't play until tomorrow but even if they win Santos remain ahead of them for one more round. They're also tied on points with Bahia and only 2 points behind 12th place (Sulamericana spot). (Technically also tied with Cruzeiro, but Cruzeiro have 2 matches in hand). Also relevant today, Paulinho scored for Atlético-MG and is making a run at Tiquinho Soares for the artilheiro. He is on 14 goals and Tiquinho is on 16. Marcos Leonardo, on 13 also has a shot.
Definitely an Endrick hype building goal. Now... if he could score more that would be a hype building performance.
I feel like he gained a little speed in the last couple of months. Close call for Botafogo there. 2nd goal called off for offsides.
Ref and VAR making themselves part of the story in this end of match. I don't think the Adryelson red was absurd, but the ref didn't even give him a yellow. Then a penalty for Botafogo where Rony clear gets the ball. Weverton saves the PK and on the counter Endrick is fouled. On the following play Endrick scores... 3x2... nuts
Took a while, but it's confirmed. And Endrick with the cross that generated that 3rd goal. Give us a hat-trick for the comeback!
Wow... what can you say? Endrick MotM? Technically he doesn't get an assist for the 3rd goal, but his cross was on a different level. After 2 golaços. The red to Adryelson might have been harsh, but not completely ridiculous. And they still had many missed goal and then PK after the red card. Weverton saves it and Palmeiras get a goal right away... This was the definition of a 6 point match. Botafogo was 6 points ahead (59 to 53) before the match. At 3x0 up in the first half they were 9 points ahead and looking at a commanding lead in the final stretch of the championship. At the final whistle they are only 3 points ahead.
Yeah ... that was questionable last man tackle. But I don't think that was a PK either. 1st half Botafogo could have easily have 5. And then the PK miss. Crazy game. League still open.