Botafogo faces a must-win situation Wednesday, February 25, 2026, when they host Nacional Potosí at Nilton Santos Stadium. The match, set to start at 9:30 PM local time, comes after Botafogo fell 1-0 in the first leg in Bolivia, leaving them needing a victory by at least two goals to advance to the third preliminary round of the Copa Libertadores.
A one-goal win for Botafogo would send the tie to a penalty shootout. The winner of this matchup will then face either Argentinos Juniors or Barcelona-EQU for a coveted spot in the group stage – Argentinos Juniors currently lead that tie after a 1-0 victory in the first leg played in Guayaquil, with the return leg also taking place Wednesday at 9:30 PM in Buenos Aires.
Botafogo manager Martín Anselmi rested key players over the weekend during a Taça Rio victory against Boavista, strategically preparing for this crucial Libertadores contest. Danilo and Arthur Cabral, who missed the last two matches, are expected to return to the starting lineup, while Joaquín Correa is again included in the squad and could make his season debut.
✖️ Botafogo Injury Report
- Kaio Pantaleão (left knee ligament injury)
- Marçal (right knee strain)
- Allan (receiving treatment)
- Edenílson (not registered)
- Cristian Medina (not registered)
- Santi Rodríguez (right knee)
- Chris Ramos (injury)
🔍 The Opponent
Nacional Potosí has secured only two wins in 13 international away matches, defeating Zulia (VEN) in 2019 and Melgar (PER) in 2020. In those games, they managed just five goals while conceding 35. Their previous trips to Brazil haven’t been kind, suffering a 3-0 defeat to Fluminense in the 2018 Copa Sudamericana and a 5-0 loss to Fortaleza in the 2024 Sudamericana.
🎟️ Tickets
Over 25,000 tickets have already been sold in advance, with the East Lower and East Upper sections completely sold out. Tickets remain available for the West Lower (R$ 120 full price/R$ 60 reduced), West Upper A (R$ 60/R$ 30) and West Upper B (R$ 60/R$ 30) and can be purchased at botafogo.com.br/ingresso. No tickets will be sold at the stadium on Wednesday.
📺 Where to Watch
The match will be broadcast live on ESPN and Disney+, with Fernando Nardini on the call, alongside commentary from Zé Elias and Rafael Marques, and analysis of the officiating by Carlos Eugênio Simon. Viewers can also catch the action on GE TV via YouTube, featuring Jorge Iggor’s play-by-play and insights from Bruno Formiga and Jordana Araújo.
📋 Match Officials
- Referee: Piero Maza (CHI)
- Assistant 1: José Retamal (CHI)
- Assistant 2: Miguel Rocha (CHI)
- 4th Official: Mathias Riquelme (CHI)
- VAR: Juan Lara (CHI)
- AVAR: Edson Cisternas (CHI)
- Assessor: Alicio Pena Junior (BRA)
- Quality manager: Carlos Pastorino (URU)
MATCH DETAILS
BOTAFOGO X NACIONAL POTOSÍ
Stadium: Nilton Santos
Date-Time: February 25, 2026 – 9:30 PM
Referee: Piero Maza (CHI)
Assistants: José Retamal (CHI) and Miguel Rocha (CHI)
VAR: Juan Lara (CHI)
Tickets: botafogo.com.br/ingresso
Where to watch: ESPN, Disney+ and GE TV
BOTAFOGO: Léo Linck; Mateo Ponte, Bastos and Alexander Barboza; Vitinho, Newton, Danilo and Alex Telles; Jordan Barrera (Lucas Villalba), Arthur Cabral and Álvaro Montoro – Manager: Martín Anselmi.
NACIONAL POTOSÍ: Galindo; Baldomar, Restrepo, Demiquel and Torrico; Otormin, Azogue and William Álvarez; Óscar Villalba, Hugo Rojas and Solis – Manager: Leonardo Égüez.
