Athletico-PR defeated Botafogo 3-2 at Engenhão and moved closer to the top of the Brazilian Serie A table, putting direct pressure on Flamengo for the lead in the national competition.
The race for the Brazilian Championship title gained a new protagonist this Monday (24). With a solid performance at Engenhão, Athletico-PR beat Botafogo 3-2, reaching 44 points and closing in on Flamengo, who leads with 45. The win for the Parana-based club changes the dynamics of a tournament that previously seemed to be a two-horse race between the Rio de Janeiro side and Palmeiras.
The current scenario requires extra caution from the Rubro-Negro squad. Although the team led by Leonardo Jardim has one game in hand, the rise of the “Furacão” makes the final stretch of the competition even more intense. Flamengo has the chance to consolidate its position on September 2, at 7:30 PM, when they face Mirassol at Maracanã in a rescheduled match from the fourth round.
Dominance and scoring
Athletico-PR left nothing to chance and built their victory quickly. With goals from João Cruz and Viveros in the 11th and 13th minutes, the visiting team controlled the game. Colombian player Viveros, by scoring the third goal in the second half, reached 16 goals in the championship, becoming the sole top scorer and surpassing Flamengo’sPedro, who remains at 15.
“Our collective performance was decisive for our away win, keeping our dream of reaching the top of the table alive,”
noted the M360 Team while analyzing the tactical movements of the Parana side in Rio de Janeiro.
Impact on the round
Botafogo, who scored two late goals through Santi Rodriguez, is currently facing a crisis. The Alvinegro team will face an even greater challenge next Sunday (30), at 4:00 PM, when they face Flamengo, once again at the Maracanã.
For Mais Querido fans, the match is seen as a crucial opportunity to extend the lead at the top and push away the threat of their pursuers. With the championship reaching its decisive stage, every point gained or lost will be fundamental in determining the 2026 Brazilian champion. The M360 Team continues to follow the developments of this electrifying race closely.
M360 updated standings
