Botafogo Thrash Cruzeiro as Mirassol Overturn Vasco in Brasileirão Opener

Overview

• Botafogo routed Cruzeiro 4–0 at Nilton Santos with all goals after halftime, as Danilo scored twice and Matheus Martins and Artur added late strikes.
• Playmaker Montoro orchestrated the attack and earned praise from coach Martín Anselmi, with the commanding win briefly cooling fan protests directed at investor John Textor.
• The scoreline left Botafogo atop the table on goal difference and Cruzeiro bottom, intensifying pressure on Tite after a third straight defeat and prompting puzzled postgame remarks from Kaio Jorge.
• Mirassol beat Vasco 2–1 in Mirassol after Philippe Coutinho’s opener, aided by a Carlos Cuesta own goal and an Eduardo finish, and extended an unbeaten national home run to 20 matches.
• Vasco’s recurring defensive errors and a striker-less setup under Fernando Diniz were highlighted in analysis as key factors in the reversal.