Junior Santos leads Botafogo closer to Serie A title
Santos gave the visitors the lead when he cut inside two defenders before curling a left-footed shot from the edge of the 18-yard box into the top right corner.
Junior Santos (Image: IANS)
RIO DE JANEIRO: Junior Santos scored twice as leaders Botafogo edged nearer to their first Brazilian Serie A title in 28 years with a 2-1 victory at America Mineiro.
Santos gave the visitors the lead when he cut inside two defenders before curling a left-footed shot from the edge of the 18-yard box into the top right corner.
The hosts equalized through Martin Benitez, who played a slick one-two with Gonzalo Mastriani, before tucking a low finish past goalkeeper Matheus Cavichioli in the 39th minute.
Botafogo restored their advantage just after halftime after smart work from Adryelson. The central defender's pressure led to a turnover in America's own half and the ball fell to Santos, who thumped a 20-yard effort into the top-left corner, Xinhua reports.
The result means Botafogo now has 58 points from 27 games, 12 points ahead of second-placed Bragantino, who has a game in hand.
In other fixtures on Wednesday, Paranaense won 2-1 at Gremio, Cuiaba prevailed 3-0 at Coritiba, Goias won 2-0 at home to Sao Paulo, Bahia overcame Internacional 1-0 at home, and Vasco da Gama edged to a 1-0 home victory over Fortaleza.