By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A superb volley from Elias gave Botafogo a last gasp victory over Criciúma last night in the 2013 Brasileirão. The Alvinegro came from behind to win 2-1 and climb to second place in the table, four points behind leaders Cruzeiro.
Botafogo went into the game missing key players Seedorf, Lodeiro and Jefferson. It looked like the team were in for a long night when they fell behind after only three minutes.
Morais played Lins through on goal with a perfect slide rule pass and the latter smashed the ball past Milton Raphael. The experience of Marcelo Mattos, Renato and Rafael Marques came to the fore and Botafogo heads did not drop.
“That result showed the force of Botafogo. We were missing great players but still played in the same way,” said match-winner Elias.
After falling behind, Botafogo gradually came into the game. Renato and Elias both went close to leveling before the interval. Ciricúma closed ranks and Botafogo’s chances were few and far between. All that would change in the second half.
Just eight minutes after the retart they were level. Rafael Marques sent over a cross from the right flank and youngster Octávio finished the move to make it 1-1. Botafogo could sense victory and the midfield pushed further forward. Edílson, Marcelo Mattos and Renato all forced goalkeeper Galatto into action, who at times resembled a one-man wall.
However, there was nothing he could do about the winner in the 91st minute. Edílson’s right-sided cross was met by an unstoppable volley from Elias to snatch the points for the Glorioso.
In other games involving Carioca clubs, Fluminense defeated Bahia 1-0 at the Maracanã to climb to fourteenth in the league. Vasco recorded a goalless draw with Atlético-PR whilst Flamengo lost 1-0 to table-toppers Cruzeiro.
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