Palmeiras beat Botafogo in dramatic showdown 🏆 | OneFootball

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Tension remained at Allianz Parque.

But the current three-time São Paulo champion still has a chance to advance to the 2025 edition's knockout stage.

Palmeiras fell behind, but came back against Botafogo from Ribeirão Preto on Thursday night (20).

Estêvão, Facundo Torres, and Luighi secured the 3-1 win.

The result eliminated Pantera, ensuring Mirassol's qualification, who will be Corinthians' rival in the quarterfinals.

Verdão remains alive but will head into the final round needing to beat Mirassol away from home. And dry up.

Plenty of excitement in the 1st half 😳

Botafogo didn't just wait in their field, ensuring more tension in the first minutes.

Abel Ferreira's team even celebrated first, but the VAR made the referee change his mind and cancel Marcos Rocha's goal (22').

That's when the team from Ribeirão Preto took advantage of the mistake, worked the ball well on the right, and Alexandre Jesus scored (25').

For the green and white relief, Estêvão "did his thing", exchanged passes with Veiga, and equalized (28'). Great goal and equality restored.

But Palmeiras in the 1st half was limited to the flash of the number 41 jersey. They lacked creative power and collective brilliance.

Tension and green and white relief

Abel made Palmeiras more offensive. Necessity demanded something different.

Verdão hit the post. But gave space. And saw Weverton save Alejo's goal.

The green and white insistence turned into pressure.

And the long-awaited goal came at 76'. Corner, "human pinball", and Facundo Torres' celebration.

More "relaxed", Palmeiras built the goal that sealed the triumph at 85', with Luighi.

The focus shifts to Sunday's decision without the suspended Murilo. And with Piquerez being a doubt after substitution.

📊 Table and schedule 📅

Palmeiras reached 20 points. Remains third in Group D. Ponte Preta (22) and São Bernardo (22 and still playing on Thursday) are getting qualified.

Botafogo stopped at 11. And will fulfill the schedule before thinking only about Série B.

Check the updated classification of all groups here.

The final round of Paulistão will have all eight games on Sunday (23). And starting at 6:30 PM (Brasília time).

Verdão will be the visitor against Mirassol at Maião.

Pantera will host Novorizontino at the Nicnet Arena, the Santa Cruz.

Photo: Cesar Greco/Palmeiras