In a thrilling encounter at the Estádio Nilton Santos, Botafogo and São Paulo faced off on Wednesday night, April 16, 2025, in the fourth round of the Campeonato Brasileiro. The match, which kicked off at 18h30 (Brasília time), ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, showcasing a mix of stunning goals, controversial VAR decisions, and a hearty performance from both teams.
The atmosphere was electric as the two sides took the field, with Botafogo looking to bounce back after a narrow defeat to Red Bull Bragantino in their previous match. Meanwhile, São Paulo was desperate to secure their first victory of the season, having drawn all three of their prior matches. The stakes were high, and both teams were eager to make a statement.
As the match began, it was clear that both teams were in a proactive mood. São Paulo struck first when Ferreirinha, in exceptional form, netted the opener with a beautiful shot into the top left corner of the net at the 20-minute mark. His goal sent the visiting fans into a frenzy, signaling a potential turning point for the Tricolor, who had struggled to find their rhythm in previous games.
However, Botafogo responded just four minutes later, leveling the score at 1-1. Savarino found the back of the net with a powerful strike from outside the box, reminding everyone of their attacking prowess. The back-and-forth nature of the match continued, with both teams creating chances but failing to convert them into goals.
In a tense moment for São Paulo, their star forward Calleri suffered a knee injury and had to be substituted, raising concerns about his fitness moving forward. As the first half progressed, the refereeing decisions became a focal point of contention. A potential penalty for Botafogo was awarded when Alan Franco was deemed to have fouled Cuiabano in the box. However, after a VAR review, the penalty was overturned, much to the dismay of the home crowd. The decision sparked outrage among Botafogo fans, who took to social media to express their disbelief at the reversal.
The first half concluded with São Paulo regaining their lead. After a chaotic sequence involving a corner kick, André Silva found the net, putting São Paulo ahead 2-1 just before halftime. Despite the controversy surrounding the penalty, the Tricolor went into the break with a crucial advantage.
After the interval, Botafogo came out with renewed energy, determined to equalize. They applied pressure on the São Paulo defense, looking for opportunities to exploit. Coach Renato Paiva made a controversial substitution, bringing on Patrick de Paula for Gregore, a move that did not sit well with some fans, who voiced their frustrations.
As the second half unfolded, São Paulo's goalkeeper Rafael was called into action multiple times, making several crucial saves to keep his team in the lead. However, the relentless pressure from Botafogo eventually paid off in the 38th minute of the second half when Igor Jesus scored with a header after a well-taken corner, bringing the match to a 2-2 stalemate.
The final minutes saw both teams pushing for a winner, but neither could find the decisive goal. The match concluded with a 2-2 draw, a result that left both teams with mixed feelings. Botafogo now has five points from four matches, placing them in the middle of the table, while São Paulo remains at the bottom, still searching for their first win of the season.
As the dust settles on this exciting clash, both teams will look ahead to their next fixtures. São Paulo will face their fierce rivals Santos in a crucial match on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at 16h at Morumbi, while Botafogo will travel to Belo Horizonte to take on Atlético-MG at the same time.
The attendance for the match was recorded at 12,014, with a revenue of R$ 696,360. The game was officiated by referee Davi de Oliveira Lacerda, who had a challenging night, navigating through several contentious moments that could have easily swayed the outcome of the match.
In the end, the clash between Botafogo and São Paulo was a testament to the unpredictable nature of football, where fortunes can change in the blink of an eye. Fans from both sides will be left pondering what could have been, but one thing is certain: the excitement of Brazilian football is alive and well.
