Botafogo vs Athletico Paranaense

Athletico-PR raced into a commanding lead at the Nilton Santos and then survived a frantic Botafogo comeback to escape Rio with all three points, winning 3-2. The visitors looked in complete control for most of the night before the hosts turned the closing stages into a nail-biter. João Cruz opened the scoring in the 11th minute after pouncing on a defensive mistake, and Kevin Viveros doubled the lead just two minutes later before adding his second in the 78th to make it 3-0. Botafogo responded with a late surge, as Santiago Rodríguez pulled one back in the 85th minute and K. Barria struck deep into stoppage time, with the hosts even appealing for a penalty in the closing seconds that went unheeded. The result keeps Athletico-PR humming, holding onto a spot near the top of the table after a strong away display. For Botafogo, still searching for rhythm after their Copa Sul-Americana exit, the spirited fightback offers little consolation from a defeat that leaves plenty of work to do.