Viveros shines with two goals and Athletico-PR beats Botafogo 4-1 in the Brasileirão

Athletico-PR defeated Botafogo 4-1 on the night of last Sunday, March 29, 2026, in a delayed match in the fifth round of Campeonato Brasileiro. The clash, held at Arena of Baixada, in Curitiba, had as its highlight the striker

With the impressive result at home, the team from Paraná secured second place in the competition, adding 16 points in the table. The team is now just three points behind the leader Palmeiras, consolidating its position among the first placed.

On the other hand, Botafogo remains in a worrying situation, remaining in the relegation zone. With only six points achieved so far, a victory in this game would be essential for Alvinegro from Rio to escape the last positions and breathe in the table, but the performance on the field did not allow the necessary reaction.

Decisive performance by Viveros leads to athletic victory

Striker Viveros was, without a doubt, the name of the match. Desde the first minutes, the Colombian showed his presence on the field, opening the score after just three minutes. Ele demonstrated his individual ability by stealing the ball from Barboza, advancing at speed and finishing with precision between the legs of goalkeeper Raul.

Still in the first half, after Botafogo achieved a momentary draw, Viveros put Athletico back in advantage. Aproveitando a precise cross from Dudu and a miss from

Match details: key plays and twists in the first half

The start of the game was marked by opportunities for both sides. Botafogo had the chance to open the scoring in the first minute, when Arthur Cabral recovered the ball and played Montoro, who served Matheus Martins. However, the striker tried to take too much away from goalkeeper Santos and shot wide.

Athletico-PR’s response was immediate and lethal. In the next move, a failure in the Botafogo defense allowed Viveros to take possession of the ball, advance at speed, invade the area and score the first goal, showing the efficiency of the red and black attack. The match, which seemed to calm down after the goal, would still hold more emotions.

Botafogo managed to equalize at the end of the first stage. Após corner kick from Alex Telles, Barboza deflected it and Santos made the save. On the rebound, the ball fell to Edenílson, who didn’t waste it and scored his first goal with the black and white shirt, rekindling the visiting team’s hopes. Contudo, in stoppage time, Viveros guaranteed a new advantage for Furacão.

Red-black superiority and dominance in the second stage

Athletico-PR didn’t take long to extend their lead in the second half, demonstrating their offensive momentum. Logo after two minutes, Viveros was brought down by Barboza, resulting in a foul. During the charge, Esquivel raised the ball in the area, and the defender Aguirre rose higher than the opposing defense to head it into the back of the net, scoring Atletica’s third goal.

The team from Paraná continued to press and create good chances. Luiz Gustavo released a powerful shot from the edge of the area, forcing goalkeeper Raul to make another great save. Athletico-PR’s dominant performance was consistent, with the team constantly seeking to increase the score.

A goal was disallowed in the 26th minute, when Lucas Esquivel activated Viveros in an irregular position. Embora the attacker did not touch the ball, his participation in the play was interpreted as influencing the play, which led the referee to signal offside, frustrating Benevídez’s celebration that he had completed into the net.

However, the rout was confirmed in spectacular fashion. With a free kick on the right side, Lucas Esquivel scored a great goal, covering the goalkeeper Raul with a very effective shot. The fourth goal sealed the significant victory for Athletico-PR, crowning a high-level collective and individual performance.

Botafogo in a delicate situation: the fight against relegation

The defeat keeps Botafogo in an extremely delicate situation at Campeonato Brasileiro. With just six points, the Rio team continues to sink into the relegation zone, facing increasing pressure to reverse the situation. The defensive performance, with obvious flaws, directly contributed to the adverse result.

The team urgently needs to find a way to score points and react in the competition. The sequence of games will be crucial for Alvinegro, which needs to adjust its tactical system and raise the level of performance of its players to leave the bottom of the table and guarantee its permanence in the elite of national football.

Furacão’s rise in the table and projections for the next clashes

With the elastic victory, Athletico-PR solidifies its position at the top of the Brasileirão table. The vice-leadership is a reflection of the good moment the team is going through, showing consistency and offensive power. The search for leader Palmeiras promises to be intense, with Furacão demonstrating that it has ambitions to fight for the title this season. The cohesion of the squad and the ability of its players to unbalance individually have been determining factors in the recent success. The fans have reason to be excited about the current performance and the prospect of great things in the championship, especially with the team playing at home.

Tactical analysis: strategies and individual highlights beyond goals

The Athletico-PR strategy, focused on intensity and exploitation of the sides, proved to be effective against Botafogo. The quick transition and the pressure on the opponent’s ball were strong points. Além of Viveros, the midfield with Dudu and Esquivel stood out for its organization and quality in passes and crossings, being pillars in the construction of offensive plays.

Recent and historical review of clashes

This clash between Athletico-PR and Botafogo often provides busy matches, but Furacão’s recent record at home has been favorable. Botafogo, in turn, has had difficulty maintaining consistency in its away games, which is reflected in its current position in the table. Historicamente, the duels are balanced, but Arena from Baixada has become a strength for the team from Paraná.

The atmosphere of Arena of Baixada drives Athletico

The support of the fans at Arena from Baixada was an important motivational factor for Athletico-PR. With an audience of 22,625 people, the atmosphere in Curitiba was vibrant, pushing the team to victory. The synergy between the field and the stands is crucial for Furacão, who feel even stronger playing at home and using the fans’ energy to their advantage.

The massive presence of Atlético fans creates an intimidating atmosphere for opponents. With each goal and dangerous play, euphoria took over the stadium, reinforcing the players’ confidence. Viveros’s farewell, amid warm applause from the fans, symbolized gratitude for the spectacular performance of number 10, who became the hero of the night.

Upcoming challenges: tight schedules for Athletico and Botafogo

The two teams will have little time to rest before their next commitments for Campeonato Brasileiro. Botafogo will face Mirassol this Wednesday, at 7:30 pm (from Brasília), at Nilton Santos, in a game that will be crucial for their hopes of leaving Z4. The Rio team needs a victory to try to start their recovery in the table.

Athletico-PR will travel to Salvador, where they will have a challenge against Bahia, at 8pm, at Fonte Nova, also on Wednesday. Furacão will seek to maintain their good momentum and stay on the heels of the championship leader, in a match that promises to be complicated away from home, but which could further consolidate the team’s campaign.

Reflections in the championship: fight for the top and escape from the Z4

Athletico-PR’s defeat of Botafogo raises awareness about the different realities of the clubs in Brasileirão. Enquanto the team from Paraná is consolidating itself in the fight for the top of the table, Botafogo needs a drastic change to avoid relegation. The next games will be decisive in defining the direction of both in the competition.

The dispute for the title appears to be fierce, with Athletico-PR proving to be a strong candidate. At the other extreme, the battle to escape the cutoff zone intensifies with each round, with Botafogo under strong pressure to react. Cada point won or lost will have enormous weight in the next few weeks of the championship.

Each team’s ability to overcome and adapt will be tested as the championship progresses. Athletico-PR seeks to maintain pace and consistency, while Botafogo needs an urgent turnaround to reverse its scenario and avoid falling to series B.