Botafogo secured a narrow victory over Nova Iguaçu on Thursday night, sealing the match with a late goal from Kayke Queiroz at the 45th minute of the second half, resulting in a 1-0 win. This victory at the Estádio Moça Bonita propelled Botafogo to 12 points, placing them firmly within the top four of the Campeonato Carioca. Meanwhile, Nova Iguaçu remained at 11 points, dropping out of the G-4.
The match started with both teams eager to attack but quickly turned sluggish due to multiple injuries. Botafogo faced significant challenges early, with key players such as zagueiro Bastos and atacante Arthur exiting the match within the first 20 minutes. This left Coach Carlos Leiria to juggle his squad as he made two substitutions, bringing on Serafim and Rafael Lobato.
Despite their tactical difficulties, Botafogo saw opportunities, with Igor Jesus almost finding the back of the net with his head, only for the ball to miss. Nova Iguaçu struggled to create chances, with their first significant attempt coming just after the 27-minute mark when João Lucas fired from outside the box, narrowly missing the target.
With the first half ending without any scores, both teams returned with renewed intensity. Botafogo attempted to capitalize on their possession with discernible pressure but met stiff resistance from Nova Iguaçu's defense. The night’s drama peaked when Matheus Martins was fouled inside the penalty area, giving Botafogo their chance to strike. Savarino, stepping up to take the penalty, was thwarted by Lucas Maticoli, who saved the shot and maintained the deadlock.
The frustration mounted for Botafogo as their attempts to break the stalemate fell flat, until, finally, at the brink of injury time, Kayke capitalized on Savarino’s cross with a calculated finish, putting the ball past Maticoli and ensuring three pivotal points for the alvinegro.
Matheus Martins, reflecting on the match, stated, "A gente sabe que é só o começo do ano. Estamos começando do zero novamente. Botafogo merece se classificar," highlighting the team's ambition to overcome the early-season struggles. He emphasized the necessity for the team to find their form as they continue through the tournament.
With this win, Botafogo sits comfortably at fourth place, equaling Nova Iguaçu with 12 points but with the advantage of ranking higher on the criteria table. The upcoming fixture for Botafogo will be against Madureira on Sunday, February 9, at the Nilton Santos Stadium. Conversely, Nova Iguaçu will face Volta Redonda on the same day, hoping to bounce back from this defeat.
This match reflected the resilience required early on in the season for both squads as they navigate through injuries and performance levels. With significant games on the horizon, each team's ability to adapt will be pivotal.