Flamengo Crush Botafogo 3-0 to Close Gap on Brasileirão Leaders Palmeiras

Flamengo took advantage of Palmeiras dropping points to tighten the Brasileirão title race, beating Botafogo 3-0 in the Rio derby.

Samuel Lino supplied two goals and an assist for the red-and-black side. Jorge Carrascal completed the scoring late in the match. Flamengo now have 48 points, four behind Palmeiras, who have 52 and have played one more match.

The game featured three disallowed goals. VAR ruled out Botafogo’s goal by Arthur Cabral for a handball, while Pedro and Lucas Paquetá also had goals cancelled for Botafogo. The defeat left Botafogo 12th with 30 points, increasingly close to the relegation zone.

Palmeiras drew 1-1 away to Mirassol. Eduardo put the hosts ahead early in the second half, but Maurício equalized after a move involving Agustín Giay and Gustavo Gómez. VAR later cancelled a penalty awarded to Mirassol.

In another São Paulo derby, Santos beat Corinthians 1-0 through Christian Oliva’s goal after Neymar’s shot struck the crossbar. It was Santos’ first derby win of the year and lifted the club to 14th place with 29 points. Corinthians remained 10th with 32. Athletico Paranaense and Fluminense drew 3-3 in Curitiba, leaving Athletico third.