In a match that reflected the gritty nature of Brazilian Série C, Botafogo da Paraíba earned a hard‑fought 2-1 victory over Caxias do Sul at Estádio Francisco Stédile on 27 July 2026. The result kept Belo in the promotion hunt while leaving Caxias precariously placed above the relegation zone.

Match Overview

Caxias RS started aggressively and took a deserved lead in the 14th minute when striker Rafael Pitbull converted a penalty after a handball by Botafogo defender Wálber. But Botafogo responded well, equalising just before the half‑hour mark. A long ball over the top found Bruno Mota, who controlled and fired across the goalkeeper into the far corner.

In the second half, Botafogo grew in confidence and took the lead in the 63rd minute. Midfielder Juninho found space on the edge of the box and curled a beautiful shot into the top corner. Caxias pushed for an equaliser but failed to capitalise on several set‑piece opportunities, with Botafogo’s goalkeeper Edson making three crucial saves.

Key Moments

• 14' – Goal! Caxias 1-0 (Pitbull, penalty)
• 28' – Goal! Botafogo PB 1-1 (Mota, assist by Dedé)
• 63' – Goal! Botafogo PB 2-1 (Juninho)
• 78' – Caxias header from Gonçalves cleared off the line by Wálber
• 90+1' – Edson denies Caxias substitute Rafael Silva with a point‑blank save

Tactical Story

Caxias lined up in a 4‑3‑3 aiming to exploit the flanks, but Botafogo’s 5‑4‑1 formation neutralised their width after the equaliser. Botafogo manager Evaristo Piza instructed his wing‑backs to sit deeper in the second half, inviting pressure and then hitting on the counter. The strategy paid off with Juninho’s winner from a swift transition.

Standout Players

• Juninho (Botafogo PB) – Scored the decisive goal and covered every blade of grass in midfield.
• Bruno Mota (Botafogo PB) – His clinical equaliser shifted the game’s momentum.
• Edson (Botafogo PB) – The goalkeeper made several vital saves, including one in stoppage time to preserve the lead.

Impact on the Table

The win lifted Botafogo da Paraíba to fourth place in the Série C standings, firmly inside the promotion zone with six matches remaining. Caxias, meanwhile, slipped to 14th — only two points clear of the relegation places. For the home side, the need to tighten up defensively is urgent if they are to avoid the drop to Série D.