Rio is rocking tonight after Botafogo booked an emphatic 5-0 win over visiting Peñarol in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores semi-final clash.
Scorers: Savarino 51′, 59′, Barboza 56′, Henrique 73′, Jesus 79′
Artur Jorge’s talented Fogo side did well to ultimately tap into the raucous energy from the home crowd at Estádio Nilton Santos to bank a crucial result.
Carboneros traveling supporters clashed with police earlier in the day, but the visitors were unable to show the same fight on the pitch after being completely outclassed in every department
It was a frustrating opening 45 minutes for Botafogo though, who, despite boasting 70% of the ball by the half-time whistle, were unable to break the deadlock against a Peñarol outfit who looked happy to play for a draw.
Botafogo finally took a deserved 1-0 lead in the 51st minute when new Brazilian star winger Luiz Henrique turned provider to slip Jefferson Savarino through on goal before the Venezuelan international calmly despatched his effort past Peñarol shot-stopper Washington Aguerre.
Center-back Alexander Barboza would double their advantage just five minutes later after he tapped home a loose ball in the box from a corner, completely nullifying Diego Aguirre’s match plan.
Savarino completed his brace while putting the match to bed in the 59th minute when his effort at goal was unable to be held by Aguerre and bungled off his arms and into the back of the net.
Henrique would finally get his name on the scoresheet with a cheeky chipped finish over Aguerre after he collected from Seleçao colleague Igor Jesus to all but put the tie beyond doubt.
Jesus extended Botafogo’s advantage further still when heading home the rebound after Aguerre did well to deny Thiago Almada’s curling effort from just outside the box
The result sees Fogo match Série A rivals Atlético Mineiro to potentially set up an all-Brazilian final after their own 3-0 win over River Plate last night.