Late goal gives Flamengo 1-0 win over city rivals Botafogo

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Botafogo v Flamengo - Nilton Santos Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - November 7, 2019 Flamengo's Lincoln celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

RIO DE JANEIRO - Flamengo left it late but Lincoln's goal two minutes from time was enough to give them a 1-0 win over Botafogo on Wednesday that preserved their eight-point lead in Brazil’s Serie A.

The visitors struggled for much of the first half against their city rivals but took control shortly before halftime and were dominant following the 54th minute red card shown to Botafogo midfielder Luiz Fernando.

However, it was not until the 88th minute of the bad-tempered match that Lincoln broke the deadlock to give them their 18th win in a run of 22 unbeaten games.

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Botafogo v Flamengo - Nilton Santos Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - November 7, 2019 Flamengo's Lincoln scores their first goal REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Flamengo sit eight points clear of second-placed Palmeiras, who beat Vasco da Gama 2-1 on Wednesday.

Botafogo are fourth from bottom in the relegation zone with seven matches remaining.

 

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Botafogo v Flamengo - Nilton Santos Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - November 7, 2019 Flamengo's Vitinho in action with Botafogo's Alex Santana REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

 

 

 

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Botafogo v Flamengo - Nilton Santos Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - November 7, 2019 Flamengo's Bruno Henrique in action with Botafogo's Junior Fernandez REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

 

(Writing by Andrew Downie; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Botafogo v Flamengo - Nilton Santos Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - November 7, 2019 Flamengo's Gerson in action with Botafogo's Joao Paulo REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Botafogo v Flamengo - Nilton Santos Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - November 7, 2019 Flamengo's Bruno Henrique in action with Botafogo's Yuri REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Botafogo v Flamengo - Nilton Santos Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - November 7, 2019 Flamengo's Vitinho in action with Botafogo's Luis Fernando REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Botafogo v Flamengo - Nilton Santos Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - November 7, 2019 Flamengo's Gabriel in action with Botafogo's Cicero REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Soccer Football - Brasileiro Championship - Botafogo v Flamengo - Nilton Santos Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - November 7, 2019 General view inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes