Botafogo v Grêmio
Gremio hammer Botafogo to keep Libertadores hopes alive
RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Gremio scored a comprehensive 5-2 victory over relegated Botafogo on Monday to keep alive their hopes of a top six finish in Brazil’s Serie A.A top six placing guarantees a spot in next season’s Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League, and the win lifts Gremio into sixth, equal with Fluminense, who have played a game less.Alisson and Jean Pyerre put the visitors 2-0 up before half time and Diego Churin made it three with a penalty kick after 53 minutes.Rafael Navarro pulled one back for Botafogo when he finished off a nice counter attack three minutes later but two goals from Matheus Henrique in the 75th and 78th minutes made it 5-1 for Gremio.Matheus scored a second consolation goal for Botafogo with eight minutes remaining. (Reporting by Andrew Downie; Editing by Michael Perry)
Game Information
Brazilian Serie A Standings
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmeiras | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | +17 | 41 |
| Flamengo | 17 | 10 | 4 | 3 | +15 | 34 |
| Fluminense | 18 | 9 | 4 | 5 | +5 | 31 |
| Athletico Paranaense | 18 | 9 | 3 | 6 | +6 | 30 |
| Red Bull Bragantino | 18 | 9 | 2 | 7 | +6 | 29 |
| Bahia | 17 | 7 | 5 | 5 | +2 | 26 |
| Coritiba | 18 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 26 |
| São Paulo | 18 | 7 | 4 | 7 | +3 | 25 |
| Atlético-MG | 18 | 7 | 3 | 8 | -1 | 24 |
| Corinthians | 18 | 6 | 6 | 6 | -1 | 24 |
| Cruzeiro | 18 | 6 | 6 | 6 | -4 | 24 |
| Botafogo | 17 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 22 |
| Vitória | 17 | 6 | 4 | 7 | -4 | 22 |
| Internacional | 18 | 5 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 21 |
| Santos | 18 | 5 | 6 | 7 | -3 | 21 |
| Grêmio | 18 | 5 | 6 | 7 | -3 | 21 |
| Vasco da Gama | 18 | 5 | 5 | 8 | -7 | 20 |
| Remo | 18 | 4 | 6 | 8 | -8 | 18 |
| Mirassol | 17 | 4 | 4 | 9 | -6 | 16 |
| Chapecoense | 17 | 1 | 6 | 10 | -16 | 9 |
Brazil Serie A News
