Botafogo 1:0 Cienciano: result and stats

Botafogo edged past Cienciano 1:0 in the Copa Sudamericana Round of 16 on Thursday, a result that turned a potential upset into a hard-fought victory. The hosts led the table going into this fixture, but the visitors carried momentum from their 6:1 thrashing of the same side just seven days earlier. One goal separated them, and it came through Danilo Santos after VAR intervention cancelled an earlier attempt. Santos's strike at 37 minutes was the decisive moment, though the incident went to review before being allowed to stand. Earlier, Danilo Pereira had found the net twice within two minutes, but those goals were erased from the record by the video assistant referee. The hosts dominated possession at 69 per cent and created 2.51 expected goals, yet they only converted one of their eight shots on target. The match grew increasingly tense as Cienciano pushed for an equaliser. N. Ferraresi was sent off in the 90th minute after a second caution, leaving the visitors to see the game out with ten men. Botafogo held on grimly despite a red card of their own earlier in the contest for H. Melgarejo, though that dismissal came in the dying moments. The statistics tell a story of one-sided pressure. Botafogo registered 140 attacks compared to Cienciano's 62, and they won 18 of 35 aerial duels. The visitors managed just one shot on target all evening and created zero big chances. Their goalkeeper made six saves while Botafogo's keeper was called into action only once. The result keeps Botafogo top of the group with 16 points from six games and five wins. Cienciano remain in second place on eight points, but they have nothing to lose now. The history between them adds an edge to the tie, and the hosts will look to take advantage at home. With the red card for Ferraresi, Cienciano's hopes of progression were severely dented. Botafogo worked the channels throughout and never got out of second gear in terms of intensity. They kept their side in it when the visitors threatened, and by then they had already taken control of the narrative.

Match facts