Botafogo is alive and kicking in the CONMEBOL Libertadores after a thrilling 2-1 victory over Carabobo on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Estadio Misael Delgado in Venezuela. This match marked the fourth round of Group A, and with this win, Botafogo now finds itself back in the race for a spot in the knockout stages of the prestigious tournament.
The Brazilian side, current champions of the tournament, faced early challenges but managed to turn the tide in their favor. The match started with Carabobo showing some attacking intent, but it was Botafogo who opened the scoring. In the 22nd minute, a shot from Cuiabano was poorly parried by Carabobo's goalkeeper, Bruera, allowing Vitinho to capitalize on the rebound and put Botafogo ahead.
Despite dominating possession with 61% in the first half, Botafogo faced a resilient Carabobo side that managed to create several chances, outshooting the Brazilians 12 to 6 in the opening 45 minutes. The home team, desperate for their first win in the group, pressed hard, but Botafogo held firm to maintain their lead going into halftime.
As the second half unfolded, Carabobo increased their pressure, and their persistence paid off in the 30th minute when Leonardo Aponte equalized from a corner kick, taking advantage of a defensive lapse in the Botafogo box. The Venezuelan side was buoyed by the goal and continued to threaten the Botafogo defense.
However, just when it seemed like the match would end in a draw, Botafogo struck back decisively. In the dying moments of the match, at 46 minutes, Cuiabano found himself in a prime position inside the area. He received the ball, turned, and fired a low shot that found the back of the net, sealing a dramatic victory for the Alvinegro.
This win not only lifts Botafogo to six points in Group A, placing them alongside Estudiantes, but it also marks the first away victory for coach Renato Paiva. After the match, Paiva expressed his satisfaction with the team's resilience, saying, "We knew it would be a tough match, but the players showed great character to come back after conceding the equalizer. This victory keeps our hopes alive in the competition."
Looking ahead, Botafogo’s next challenge will be against Internacional in the Campeonato Brasileiro on Sunday, May 11, 2025. The team will need to build on this momentum as they aim to secure a spot in the knockout stages of the Libertadores.
On the other side, Carabobo remains in a precarious position with only two points from four matches. They will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next match against Puerto Cabello in the Campeonato Venezuelano on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Coach Diego Merino acknowledged the difficulties his team faced but remained optimistic: "We showed we can compete, and we’ll take this experience to improve in our next matches."
The standings in Group A now see Universidad de Chile leading with seven points, followed closely by Estudiantes with six, while Botafogo also has six points, leaving Carabobo at the bottom with just two.
As the tournament progresses, the stakes are only getting higher, and every match counts. Fans of Botafogo will be eagerly awaiting their next game, hoping for another strong performance as they chase glory in the Libertadores once again.
