📋 Botafogo named to chase a miracle and go through in Sul-Americana

Botafogo has been selected to pursue a miraculous run in the Sul-Americana and advance to the quarterfinals. The Brazilian club will take on Cienciano in the second leg of the 2026 Conmebol Sudamericana round of 16 on Thursday, 20th at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time, at the Nilton Santos Stadium. After suffering a 6-1 defeat against Peru in the previous match, Botafogo needs to secure a five-goal victory to eliminate the tie and move on to penalties.

Should they manage to score six goals, or prevail on penalties, Botafogo will face Uruguay's Montevideo City in the quarterfinals. Interim coach Rodrigo Bellão, who is also the manager of Botafogo's under-20 team, will lead the squad in this crucial match, temporarily replacing the departed Franclim Carvalho. In comparison to Botafogo's previous game, the 1-0 loss to Vitória in the Brasileirão, Bellão made tactical substitutions, bringing in Justino and Danilo Pereira instead of Monzón and Matheus Martins.