Brasileirão Week 31-32: Santos’ Late Show, Vasco Find Form and an Epic Night at Engenhão

It has been a season of romantic firsts in Brazil – after São Paulo secured their first ever Copa do Brasil at Morumbi in September, on Saturday the eyes of many in the world of football were on the Maracanâ, where John Kennedy’s sensational extra-time winner sealed Fluminense’s first ever Copa Libertadores title. The win over Boca Juniors was the crown jewel of Fernando Diniz’s legendary reign at Tricolor which has also seen him lift two Carioca titles, and the emotional significance of the result for the Flu support was evident for all to see. It was Brazilian and South American football at its chaotic, gripping and inspiring best – but it wasn’t even the best match involving a Brasileirão club this week.

The Libertadores trophy is the pinnacle for any club on the continent, but in a domestic title race potentially heading right to the wire, a mountainous six-pointer for surprise league-leaders Botafogo came against reigning champions Palmeiras in another hugely anticipated showdown in Rio.

Beginning on top as the home side, Fogao raced into the lead through a deflected finish from Eduardo, before a stunning hit from Tchê Tchê just six minutes later sent them into dreamland, sparking wild celebrations. Few expected such a comfortable start for Lucio Flávio’s men whose incredible form from earlier in the season has begun to fade, but they remarkably were not done there, heading into a 3-0 half-time lead when Junior Santos simply tapped home the rebound to Tiquinho Soares’ effort in a stunning first period.

Visiting manager Abel Ferreira surprisingly did not make any changes at the break, and his patience with his side was quickly rewarded through an excellent solo effort from teenage prodigy Endrick on minute 49. After being all over the place in the first half, the champions begun to dominate, but the break they needed would not come before a dubious red card for Botafogo defender Adryelson which left them a player down with fifteen to play.