Novorizontino completed a 3-1 victory over Botafogo at Estadio Santa-Cruz on Tuesday evening, taking all three points from the Serie B regular season fixture. The visitors, sitting second in the table, moved three points clear of the chasing pack while Botafogo, in 15th place, dropped further away from safety.
Novorizontino took the lead through a penalty converted by Romulo Azevedo Simão in the 21st minute, following a VAR intervention in the 19th that pointed to a spot-kick. Botafogo responded quickly, with Felipe Vieira Augusto finding the net in the 30th to level the score. The first half ended 1-1, but the visitors had the better chance and took it first.
And here's the thing about second halves — Novorizontino showed they knew how to finish. Robson restored the lead in the 56th minute, and Matheus Henrique Bianqui added a third in the 73rd to put the result beyond doubt. Botafogo had substitutions to make, but the game was already decided.
By then, the statistics told the story clearly. Novorizontino recorded 1.54 expected goals with five shots on target, while Botafogo managed just 0.68 xG with only one shot on target from eight attempts. The hosts dominated possession at 54 per cent, but possession without penetration is a familiar pattern.
The result leaves Novorizontino with 49 points after 27 games, maintaining their push for promotion. Botafogo remain on 31 points with 12 defeats, their recent form showing losses to Nauquico, Cuiabá and Atlético Goianiense. The gap between them is now 18 points, and both teams will be looking at different targets when they next meet.
