Danilo bags a brace as Botafogo thrash Cruzeiro in Brasileirão opener | OneFootball

Botafogo debuted with a thrashing in the Brazilian Championship. This Thursday, the Glorioso hosted Cruzeiro at Nilton Santos Stadium and won 4-0, with goals from Danilo (twice), Artur, and Matheus Martins. As a result, the team from Rio starts the competition in the lead, due to the goal difference.

Standings Situation

With three points and a positive goal difference of four, Botafogo leads the Brazilian Championship. Meanwhile, Cruzeiro starts the tournament at the bottom, still without points and with a negative goal difference of four.

Match Summary

  BOTAFOGO 4 x 0 CRUZEIRO 🔵⚪

 Competition: Brazilian Championship (1st round)  Location: Nilton Santos, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ)  Date: January 29, 2026 (Thursday)  Time: 21:30 (Brasília time)  Yellow cards: Allan (Botafogo); Lucas Silva and Kaique Kenji (Cruzeiro)

Refereeing

Goals

Botafogo

Neto; Mateo Ponte, Newton, and Barboza; Alex Telles (Marçal), Allan (Artur), Danilo, Santi Rodríguez (Barrera), and Vitinho; Montoro (Nathan Fernandes) and Arthur Cabral (Matheus Martins)

Coach: Martin Anselmí

Cruzeiro 🔵⚪

Cássio; Kaiki Bruno, Fabrício Bruno, Jonathan Jesus (João Marcelo), and Fagner; Lucas Romero (Matheus Henrique), Lucas Silva (Christian), Gerson (Kaique Kenji), and Matheus Pereira; Kaio Jorge and Wanderson (Arroyo)

Coach: Tite

How was the game?

The game started open, with both teams seeking to attack. Cruzeiro created the first chance at ten minutes, with a shot from outside the area by Matheus Pereira saved by Neto. Botafogo responded with a header from Arthur Cabral after a free-kick into the area.

At 21, Kaio Jorge scored for the team from Minas Gerais, but the goal was disallowed for offside. After that, the pace slowed, with alternating possession and few chances until the break, despite another attempt by Cruzeiro with a cross from Gerson finished by Wanderson over the goal.

In the second half, Botafogo came back stronger and opened the scoring just two minutes in, with Danilo, after a pass from Arthur Cabral. Cruzeiro started to press for an equalizer but faltered in their finishing, stopped by a good save from Neto on a shot by Gerson.

The team from Rio regained control and almost extended the lead with Montoro, before scoring the second at 30 minutes, in a counterattack finished by Matheus Martins. Botafogo remained superior and scored the third at 39, with Danilo heading in after a cross from Nathan Fernandes. At 45, Artur took advantage of another counterattack, dribbled past Cássio, and sealed the thrashing at Nilton Santos.

Upcoming Matches

Botafogo

Cruzeiro

*By Gazeta Press

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.