Match report
Botafogo edge Cruzeiro thanks to first-half Justino strike
Botafogo secured a 1-0 win away to Cruzeiro in matchday 20 of the Brasileirão Série A, a result that lifted them to seventh in the table above their hosts, who sit ninth. The only goal came in the 41st minute, when G. Justino converted an assist from Alex Telles to make it 0-1, a scoreline that held through half-time and into the final whistle.
AI-assisted match report written from official match data.
Despite conceding the game's decisive moment, Cruzeiro dominated territory and chances, controlling 61 per cent of possession and firing 15 shots to Botafogo's eight, six of them on target compared with four for the visitors. Cruzeiro's xG of 1.52 against Botafogo's 0.40 reflected their greater attacking presence, yet they could not find an equaliser as Botafogo held firm defensively.
The match was disciplined but occasionally fractious, with referee Davi de Oliveira Lacerda booking five Botafogo players and two from Cruzeiro. Botafogo also had the edge at corners, winning nine to Cruzeiro's one, underlining their efficiency in defending set pieces despite being second-best in overall possession and shot count.
Warleson posted the highest rating on the pitch at 8.3 for Botafogo, while goalscorer G. Justino was not far behind on 8.2 after netting the only goal of the match.
Cruzeiro held a commanding 61 per cent of possession but were unable to turn that dominance into a goal.
Botafogo won 1–0 away against Cruzeiro (half-time 0–1).
Cruzeiro met Botafogo in the Brasileirão Série A (Regular Season - 20). Kick-off was Sunday, 26 July 2026, 19:00 UTC at Governador Magalhães Pinto. Referee: Davi de Oliveira Lacerda. Attendance: 39,294.
Team pages: Cruzeiro · Botafogo · Brasileirão Série A
Key moments
- 41' Goal: G. Justino (assist: Alex Telles) — 0–1
Starting line-ups
Cruzeiro (4-4-2)
- 81 Otávio Eleodoro Rezende Costa
- 27 G. Rojas
- 34 Jonathan
- 15 Fabrício Bruno
- 23 Fágner
- 17 Luis Sinisterra
- 7 Matheus Henrique
- 29 Lucas Romero (c)
- 11 Marquinhos
- 19 Kaio Jorge
- 9 Bruno Rodrigues
Botafogo (4-2-3-1)
- 17 Warleson
- 13 Alex Telles (c)
- 5 Nahuel Ferraresi
- 34 G. Justino
- 2 Vitinho
- 6 Cristian Medina
- 75 Huguinho
- 11 Matheus Martins
- 8 Danilo Santos
- 10 Álvaro Montoro
- 19 Arthur Cabral
Sirius · Why these numbers
Before kick-off Sirius gave Cruzeiro 50%, the draw 28%, Botafogo 22%. It finished Cruzeiro 0–1 Botafogo.
Level sides, home ground swings it — Nothing separates them on our strength rating, and Brasileirão Série A home advantage plus Botafogo's hot finishing due to cool give Cruzeiro the lean. The draw at 28% is nudged down by the same factors that shape the win chances.
Why Cruzeiro in front?
Home ground, mostly. Almost nothing between them on our strength rating — 1758 to 1743. Sides this close won 45.6% of 14,396 home games (draw 26.5%, visitors 27.8%). Brasileirão Série A home sides out-perform the global norm — and the difference mostly flows to draws (26.9% vs 24.9% norm) and away wins (24.9% vs 30.2%). Brasileirão Série A homes won 48.3% of 4,371 games vs 44.9% across all 98,326 — outside the noise band, so the tally moves accordingly. Botafogo scored +0.36 goals per game beyond chance-quality lately — hot streaks like that have cooled off. Visitors running this hot went on to win 29.1% of 1,417 games, vs 28.9% for visitors finishing normally.
Why only 50%?
Because on our strength rating there is nothing in it. Level sides split the rest: the draw at 28% and Botafogo at 22%.
Why is the draw second, ahead of the Botafogo win?
Between sides this level the draw starts at 26.5%. These teams' recent games average 2.5 goals — a typical goals environment. Games in that environment drew 26.2% of 27,402. The cool-off factor takes 2.3 points off the draw. Brasileirão Série A runs draw-heavy, adding 2.0 points.
What did we measure but not count?
Cruzeiro are missing their first-choice keeper and 1 more regular starter — Matheus Pereira, Cássio — about 21% of their usual starting-XI weight. Our measured receipt covers one-sided absences only, and the picture here isn't one-sided — both squads are short. Botafogo are missing 2 regular starters — Álvaro Montoro, Arthur Cabral — about 38% of their usual starting-XI weight. The other measured facts on this page scored nothing either.
Sirius probabilities, frozen at kick-off. Analysis, not betting advice. How Sirius is doing this season · Full breakdown, evidence cards and squad news in the Match Insights tab
About this match
On this page: the Cruzeiro vs Botafogo final score and result, goal highlights and video clips of every goal, who scored, starting lineups, match stats and the full match report from this Brasileirão Série A fixture.
- Who scored and when — a goal-by-goal timeline of the match.
- Match stats — possession, shots, expected goals (xG), corners and cards.
- Starting lineups and player ratings for both teams.
- Head-to-head record and recent form for both sides.
Watch the goals: goal highlights and video clips of every goal from Cruzeiro 0–1 Botafogo. Explore more on the Cruzeiro and Botafogo team pages or the Brasileirão Série A page.
Quick answers
›What was the final score of Cruzeiro vs Botafogo?
Botafogo won 1–0 away against Cruzeiro (half-time 0–1).
›Who scored in Cruzeiro vs Botafogo?
G. Justino (41') for Botafogo.
›Where can I watch Cruzeiro vs Botafogo highlights?
Goal highlights and video clips from Cruzeiro 0–1 Botafogo are on this page — open the videos tab to watch every goal.
›What is the head-to-head record between Cruzeiro and Botafogo?
Cruzeiro and Botafogo have met 10 times — 4 wins for Cruzeiro, 1 win for Botafogo and 5 draws.