On the brink of history, Botafogo head to Montevideo’s Estadio Campeon del Siglo on Wednesday with one foot firmly planted in their first-ever Copa Libertadores final. Their commanding 5-0 victory in Rio left no doubt about their ambitions, putting the Brazilian side within touching distance of a dream finish to this competition.
Meanwhile, Peñarol return home in a state of crisis, needing a miracle after the crushing first-leg defeat. The Uruguayan giants will be fueled by pride, and their fiercely loyal fans will fill the stands in hopes of an epic comeback. But overturning a five-goal deficit is a near-impossible mountain to climb.
In football, the improbable sometimes happens - but only if the first leg didn’t end in a 5-0 blowout.
The crushing defeat in Rio halted Peñarol’s strong three-game winning streak, casting a dark cloud over their Libertadores dreams. Yet, if there’s any place Peñarol could make the impossible possible, it’s their fortress, Estadio Campeon del Siglo, where they've been untouchable in domestic play with an impressive 11-5-0 record. In the Libertadores, they've dominated at home, securing six wins and a draw in seven matches.
For this second leg, Rodrigo Perez stepped into the lineup, taking Javier Cabrera’s spot from the quarter-final, while veteran shot-stopper Washington Aguerre remains a steady presence, collecting four clean sheets in five home Libertadores outings. And with the likes of Leonardo Fernandez, Maximiliano Silvera, Jaime Baez, and Facundo Batista all finding the net in Peñarol’s last home win in this competition, the Uruguayan side will rely on every ounce of their home-field magic to attempt the unthinkable.
It’s a long shot - but if there’s any team that could feed off the roaring Montevideo crowd, it’s Peñarol.
PEÑAROL predicted lineup vs BOTAFOGO: Aguerre (GK); Milans, Mendez, Rodriguez, Olivera; Ramirez, Sosa, D. Garcia; Darias, Baez; Silvera.
Botafogo stand just one game away from securing a place in their first-ever Copa Libertadores final, a feat that would mark a monumental chapter in the club's storied 120-year history. Heading into Wednesday’s clash with a staggering 5-0 lead from the first leg, it would take nothing short of a miracle to derail their dream run.
This success is part of an extraordinary season for the Rio de Janeiro giants, who also sit atop the Brasileiro Serie A table with seven games left to play. Their 1-0 away victory over RB Bragantino last weekend extended Botafogo’s unbeaten streak to 14 matches, setting them up with formidable momentum for the second leg.
The squad may be without Rafael and Jeffinho due to knee injuries, while their Libertadores top scorer, Junior Santos, remains sidelined, but the team’s firepower is still undeniable. Jefferson Savarino’s first-leg brace set the tone, with Alexander Barboza, Luiz Henrique, and Igor Jesus also finding the net to cap off a historic performance.
The stage is set for Botafogo to seal their place in the final—and perhaps for a season that fans will remember for decades to come.
BOTAFOGO predicted lineup vs PEÑAROL: John (GK); Vitinho, Bastos, Barboza, Telles; Freitas, Gregore; Romero, Savarino, Almada; Jesus.
PEÑAROL VS BOTAFOGO
6.10
1x2: BOTAFOGO & OVER TOTAL 2.5
