The ongoing crisis at Botafogo deepened last night as they lost 1-0 at home to Palmeiras – a result which left them bottom of the Brazilian Campeonato.
Billed prior to the game as a battle between two of Brazil’s fallen giants, both teams knew a win was essential to ease the looming threat of relegation. A 50th minute goal by Henrique proved to be the difference, as his thirteenth strike of the season won the game for the visitors.
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The result means Palmeiras move into thirteenth place with 31 points, three points clear of Chapecoense in seventeenth – the team occupying the final relegation position. Botafogo’s defeat leaves them last with 26 points, one behind Criciuma who lost 1-0 last night to the side previously occupying the bottom place, Coritiba.
There are now eight teams at the foot of the table who are only separated by five points. Four teams are relegated each season, meaning that in addition to Botafogo, Palmeiras, Criciuma and Coritiba, there is also Atletico Mineiro, Bahia, Chapecoense and Vitoria who are fighting for their top flight status.