Without Neymar and Gabigol, Santos loses chances and is defeated by Botafogo in the return of the Brasileirão

Without Neymar, still enjoying his break after Brazil's elimination from the World Cup, and center forward Gabigol, suspended for his expulsion against Vitória, coach Cuca bet his chips on the midfield trio formed by the Bolivian Miguelito and the Argentines Barreal and Rollheiser. At the front, the chosen one was Thaciano.

In the first half, Peixe even had more game volume than the host and the first big chance, with Miguelito shooting for a great save by goalkeeper Léo Linck.

But it was Botafogo who went into the break ahead on the scoreboard, with a goal in the 40th minute. Kauan Toledo stole the ball from the defender and it was left for Lucas Emanuel to dig over Gabriel Brazão.

The linesman called it offside, but the VAR check indicated the same line and the referee validated the goal.

In the second half, both teams were more effective in attack, and Thaciano missed an incredible goal after just 5 minutes. Barreal shot from outside and the Botafogo goalkeeper countered. The ball fell to the Santos center forward, unmarked. He shot over the goal.

In the next move, another mistake by Thaciano, who received the ball inside the area, but got in the way and shot out.

With Santos' pressure, the equalizer came at 11 minutes. During a corner kick, goalkeeper Léo Linck jumped to take the ball away, but he ended up bumping into defender Justino and fell for a free kick.

Barreal caught the surplus at the edge of the area and shot into the empty goal. The Botafoguenses surrounded the referee to complain, but nothing was scored and the goal was validated.

Santos had at least three more good chances to score. In the best of them, at 42 minutes, Gabriel Bontempo kicked and Léo Linck rebounded. Lucas Veríssimo dove in with his head on the rebound and Link palmed it away again. Afterwards, Gabriel Menino kicked the ball against the post.

When it seemed like the game would end in a draw, Botafogo found the winning goal at 49 minutes, on the last play. In a throw, goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão went to the middle to cut the ball, but shot at Luan Peres before the two collided and fell.

The ball then fell to Kadir to reach the area and shoot into the empty goal, guaranteeing the victory.

With the result, Botafogo rose to ninth place in the Brasileirão table, with 25 points, leaving Peixe in 16th, with 21.

VICTORIA X VASCO

In the other game on the night of the competition's resumption, Vitória hosted Vasco at the Barradão stadium and won 1-0, with a goal from Renato Kayzer.

The Bahian team rose to tenth in the Brazilian Championship, with 25 points, while the

Vasco is first in the relegation zone, with 20 points.

The 19th round continues this Friday (17th) with two more matches, both at 8pm.

Fluminense, third place with 31 points, receives Bragantino, fifth, with 29, at Maracanã.

Mirassol, second to last with 16 points, is playing a desperate duel against Grêmio, 15th, with 21, at the Maião stadium, in the interior of São Paulo.