Botafogo beat Grêmio in the Brasileirão, seal Copa Libertadores spot | OneFootball

This Saturday, Botafogo defeated Grêmio 3-2 at Estádio Nilton Santos in Rio de Janeiro, in the 35th round of the Brazilian Championship, securing a spot in the 2026 Copa Libertadores.

Standings

With this result, the Alvinegros reached 58 points, occupying fifth place in the Brazilian Championship. Meanwhile, the Gaúchos remain at 43 points, in 12th place.

📋 Match Summary

⚫⚪BOTAFOGO 3 X 2 GRÊMIO⚪🔵

🏆 Competition: 35th round of the Brazilian Championship 🏟️ Venue: Estádio Nilton Santos, Rio de Janeiro 📅 Date: November 22, 2025 (Saturday) ⏰ Time: 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time) 🟨 Yellow Cards: Vitinho and Savarino (Botafogo); Noriega, Marlon, Gustavo Martins, and Dodi (Grêmio)

Refereeing

Goals

⚫⚪BOTAFOGO

Léo Linck, Vitinho, Alexander Barboza, David Ricardo, and Cuiabano; Danilo (Newton), Marlon Freitas, and Savarino (Montoro); Artur (Marçal), Kadir (Arthur Cabral), and Correa (Barrera) Coach: Davide Ancelotti

⚪🔵GRÊMIO

Thiago Volpi, Marcos Rocha, Gustavo Martins, Noriega (Viery), and Marlon; Dodi, Cuellar, and Edenilson (Aravena); Alysson (Pavón), Lucas Esteves (Cristaldo), and André (Carlos Vinícius) Coach: Mano Menezes

How the match went

Botafogo started the match trying to put pressure on Grêmio. However, the home team struggled to break through the Gaúcho defense. Yet, on their first real chance, the Alvinegros opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Savarino hit the crossbar and saw Artur get the rebound. The forward took a shot, Tiago Volpi parried, and Cuiabano sent it into the net. The setback made Grêmio push forward in attack. But it was Botafogo who took advantage of the open spaces to extend their lead in the 18th minute. Artur received a pass in the box, got past Gustavo Martins, and finished with no chance for Tiago Volpi. 

Even after the second goal, the flow of the match remained the same. Botafogo maintained control and nearly scored again in the 32nd minute, with Savarino shooting into the side netting. Grêmio only managed to threaten with consecutive shots from André over the crossbar.

In the second half, Grêmio returned with a more offensive approach and reduced the deficit just two minutes in. André took advantage of a cross and headed it into the net. The goal energized the Gaúchos. Grêmio kept up the pressure and almost equalized in the 12th minute. Cuellar shot from the edge of the box and Léo Linck stretched to make a save for Botafogo.

The Alvinegros continued to play better and had a good chance in the 36th minute. Cuiabano made a great play and forced a good save from Tiago Volpi. But in the very next play, Botafogo scored their third. After a corner kick, David Ricardo flicked it on and Marçal headed it into the net. In the final minutes, Grêmio threw everything forward and scored again in the 44th minute. Carlos Vinícius capitalized on a cross and put it in the net. However, the Gaúchos didn't have enough time to react and saw Botafogo manage the result to leave the field with the win.

Upcoming matches

Botafogo

Grêmio

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