Botafogo PB took three points from their Serie C encounter against Guarani Campinas on Saturday evening, closing out a 3-1 win in the 18th round of the regular season. The match took place on 22 August 2026 and stretched into stoppage time before the final whistle. The hosts opened the scoring just before half-time, then weathered a second-half flurry from the visitors.
Joao Paulo gave Botafogo the lead in the 43rd minute, catching Guarani's defence off-guard. Lucas Candido went off with a yellow card two minutes into added time, a moment that seemed to rattle the home side slightly. To be fair, Guarani pushed forward with purpose after that setback, looking for an equaliser before the break.
The visitors should have levelled when Lucas Candido struck in the 57th minute, though he was playing for the home side and his goal put Botafogo back in front. R. Bastos doubled the advantage six minutes later, and here's the thing — Guarani had already switched off at the back. Three substitutions came in quick succession on the hour mark, with Isaque, Herbert and Maranhao all replaced.
Nene added a fourth goal in the 80th minute, putting the result beyond doubt. The match grew cagey as it progressed, with yellow cards for Luis Otavio, Patric Calmon and Diogo Mateus all coming in the final 20 minutes. By then, the tactical battle had shifted from attack to containment, and Botafogo's defenders had nothing to do all evening.
Statistics tell a story of dominance without control. Botafogo held 54 per cent possession but managed only seven shots on target compared to Guarani's seven as well. The visitors launched 12 shots off target, suggesting they were searching for something that never quite materialised. Seven attacks to Guarani's ten shows the visitors were active, but activity alone does not win matches.
Botafogo remain top of the table with 33 points from 19 games, maintaining their ten wins, three draws and six defeats. Guarani sit in 10th place with 28 points, their record of seven victories, seven draws and five defeats unchanged. The gap between them widens to five points, and the home side have one foot in securing their position at the summit.