Written off just a month ago after a 6-0 defeat by Vasco da Gama, a reverse which saw coach Estevam Soares replaced by Joel Santana. Botafogo turned the formbook on it's head to win the Taça Guanabara in front of 66,957 fans at the Maracanã. Fabio Ferreira headed Botafogo after 69 minutes but Vasco were reduced to 10 men three minutes later when Titi was sent off for a foul on Botafogo's semi final hero Ciao.
Six minutes from time Nilton was the second Vasco player to be sent off after a foul on Sebastian Abreu in the area and "El Loco" stepped up to convert the penalty to hand Vasco their first loss of the season and see Fogo retain their title. Abreu was a happy man after the game, he said "Sometimes we are not able to play great football, but we can always overcome that by playing with a lot of heart, like we did today." The celebrations began as Botafogo picked up the Taça Guanabara safe in the knowledge they will now contest the two legged state final at the end of April against the winner of the Taça Rio, unless of course Botafogo do the double.
The Taça Rio gets underway next weekend after Taça do Brasil and Libertadores committments are fulfilled in midweek and they line up like this.
Madureira x Boavista
Resende x Bangu
Macaé x Flamengo
Fluminense x Friburguense
Duque de Caxais x América
Olaria x Tigres do Brasil
Vasco da Gama x Volta Redonda
Americano x Botafogo
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