Botafogo defeats Bahia at Nilton Santos Stadium and finally enters the G-4

Finally! In a challenging match, Botafogo defeated Bahia 2-1 after over two years of drought on Wednesday (10/1), at Nilton Santos Stadium, and finally entered the G-4 of the Brazilian Championship with 43 points. Santi Rodríguez and Jeffinho scored for Glorioso, with Rodrigo Nestor scoring for Bahia.
The Fogão relied on Mirassol’s earlier stumble, only drawing with Red Bull Bragantino at Maião Stadium and remaining at 43 points, behind Botafogo due to fewer victories. Bahia ended up with 40 points, in sixth place (see the standings at the end of the text).
The game started with both Botafogo and Bahia studying each other and the match, although intense, lacked excitement. However, gradually, Glorioso gained ground, focusing on plays on the right side. At 25 minutes, the first significant opportunity occurred: Marlon Freitas found Vitinho, who tried a cross, the ball deflected, Ronaldo saved, and Cuiabano fired a powerful shot, saved by the Tricolor’s goalkeeper.
The following minute, Botafogo scored in a similar manner. Marlon Freitas gave a good pass to Vitinho, who laid it back for Santi Rodríguez to shoot into the opposite corner. The ball hit the post and went in: 1-0. The captain was in great form and, at 33, produced a beautiful long pass, with Vitinho arriving diagonally, controlling the ball with his chest, and missing the shot with his left foot. Glorioso had another chance at 41 minutes, with Savarino’s low free-kick saved easily by Ronaldo. The game was in Botafogo’s favor, but Bahia almost equalized at the end of the first half: Rezende passed deep, Zé Guilherme appeared free behind Vitinho and hit the crossbar.
The second half began with Botafogo scoring to make it 2-0. Savarino crossed from the right, Cuiabano took a first-time shot on the opposite side, and Jeffinho tapped in close to the small area, showing great opportunism, just 21 seconds in. This was the first goal for the forward, who has had a season marred by injuries. The game favored Botafogo, but Bahia managed to get back in it with a stroke of luck. At nine minutes, Rodrigo Nestor’s free-kick deflected off Kaio Pantaleão’s shoulder and beat goalkeeper Léo Linck: 2-1. However, shortly after, Sanabria simulated a penalty, received a second yellow card, and was sent off, leaving Glorioso with a numerical advantage and the visitors’ task even more challenging.
With 11 against 10, Botafogo controlled the game more. Bahia only threatened at 27 minutes, with a free-kick from Nestor that Linck tipped over the bar. Glorioso responded, with Arthur Cabral almost scoring a header, and then Kaio Pantaleão found the net, but was offside. In the final minutes, Fogão wasted some counterattacks, made some unnecessary mistakes, but managed to hold on to the victory.