Botafogo vs Barcelona

Barcelona SC pulled off a stunning upset in Rio de Janeiro, beating Botafogo 0-1 at the Nilton Santos Stadium to book their place in the Copa Libertadores group stage. Milton Céliz struck early in the 8th minute to silence the home crowd and give the Ecuadorian side a stranglehold on the tie. The goal came from a slick combination between Joao Rojas and Héctor Villalba, with Céliz applying the finishing touch. Botafogo pushed hard for an equalizer but found goalkeeper José David Contreras in inspired form, denying Alex Telles from a free kick and keeping Matheus Martins at bay with a string of sharp saves. Barcelona SC advance 2-1 on aggregate after the first leg ended 1-1 in Guayaquil. For Botafogo, the 2024 Libertadores champions, it marks a bitter early exit. The Ecuadorians, meanwhile, march into the group stage off the back of a historic away win in Brazil.