In a fundamental game for the next season, the Botafogo closes the complicated year of 2025 this Sunday (7/12), at 4pm, at the Nilton Santos Stadium, in the face of the threatened Fortalezafighting for a direct place in the group stage of the Libertadores-2026.
Glorioso needs to win the game and hope for a draw between Fluminense e Bahiawho will face each other at the same time, at Maracanã. If Botafogo draws or loses – and depending on what happens in the other match -, then they will have to wait for the outcome of the match. Brazilian Cup to find out if the G-5 will become the G-6.
There are nine games without losing in Brazilian ChampionshipAlvinegro will not be able to count on David Ricardo, sent off in the draw with Cruzeiro. However, Alexander Barboza, recovered from a knee problem, returned to the list of related players, even though he was not 100%.
Mateo Ponte, Santi Rodríguez and Jeffinho return from suspension. Léo Linck, Danilo, Savarino and Joaquín Correa are still out. The expectation is for a good attendance at Nilton Santos, with more than 20 thousand tickets sold in advance. Owner of SAF, John Textor will be present.
✖️ Botafogo embezzlement
- Neto (complete tear in the rectus femoris of the right thigh)
- Léo Linck (tonsil abscess)
- Kaio Pantaleão (multiligament injury to the left knee)
- rude (left knee surgery)
- David Ricardo (suspended)
- Danilo (muscle injury to left thigh)
- Savarino (right thigh muscle injury)
- Joaquin Correa (muscle injury)
🔍 The opponent
With four wins in a row and nine games without losing, Fortaleza left the relegation zone on Wednesday after 27 rounds. This Sunday’s game is a decision, and the team needs to win so as not to depend on other results to remain in Serie A. Coach Martín Palermo will be without Herrera, suspended for the third yellow card, and defender Brítez, who once again felt chest discomfort.
🎟️ Tickets
Botafogo fans are expected to attend in good numbers, as 20,000 tickets were sold in advance. Tickets are still on sale at botafogo.com.br/ingresso and at the Nilton Santos West box office, from 12pm to 4:45pm, for the Upper East (R$ 60), Lower East (R$ 100 whole/R$ 50 half), Lower West (R$ 100/R$ 50), Upper West B (R$ 60/R$ 30) and North (R$ 40/R$ 20) sectors.
📺 Where to watch
The match will be broadcast from Globo for RJ, CE, AC, AL, AM, AP, BA, ES, MA, PA, PB, PE, PI, RN, RR, RO, SE and Juiz de Fora, with narration by Gustavo Villani and comments by Roger Flores and Ana Thaís Matos; and the Premiere for the entire country, with narration by Natália Lara and comments by Grafite and Pedro Moreno.
📋 Arbitration
- Arbitrator: Paulo Cesar Zanovelli da Silva (FIFA/MG)
- Assistant 1: Guilherme Dias Camilo (FIFA/MG)
- Assistant 2: Celso Luiz da Silva (MG)
- Fourth referee: Fernando Antonio Mendes de Salles Nascimento Filho (PA)
- Fifth referee: Wallace Muller Barros Santos (RJ)
- Inspector: Luiz Carlos Camara Bezerra (RN)
- Assessor: Carlos Augusto Nogueira Junior (SP)
- OUR: Wagner Reway (VAR-Fifa/SC)
- AVAR: Johnny Barros de Oliveira (SC)
- AVAR 2: Paulo Roberto Alves Junior (PR)
- VAR Observer: Italo Medeiros de Azevedo (RN)
- Quality manager: Arnaldo Jasson Araujo Santos (RJ)
TECHNICAL SHEET
BOTAFOGO
Stadium: Nilton Santos
Date-Time: 7/12/2025 – 16h
Arbitrator: Paulo Cesar Zanovelli da Silva (FIFA/MG)
Assistants: Guilherme Dias Camilo (FIFA/MG) and Celso Luiz da Silva (MG)
OUR: Wagner Reway (VAR-Fifa/SC)
Tickets: botafogo.com.br/ingresso
Where to watch: Globo (RJ, CE, AC, AL, AM, AP, ES, MA, MA, PB, PP, RN, RN, RR, RO, SE, and Fora Juiz) and Premier
BOTAFOGO: Raul; Vitinho, Alexander Barboza, Marçal and Alex Telles; Allan, Marlon Freitas and Álvaro Montoro (Jordan Barrera); Artur, Arthur Cabral and Santi Rodríguez – Coach: Davide Ancelotti.
FORTALEZA: Brenno; Mancuso, Lucas Gazal, Gastón Ávila and Diogo Barbosa; Lucas Sasha, Matheus Pereira and Pierre; Pochettino (Yago Pikachu), Breno Lopes and Adam Bareiro – Coach: Martín Palermo.
