Botafogo beats Cruzeiro 1-0

Lucio Flavio successful penalty in the 79th minute lifted Botafogo over Cruzeiro 1-0 and into third place in the Brazilian league on Wednesday.

The top four qualify for the next Copa Libertadores, and Botafogo, after its seventh straight win, was only two points behind second-placed Cruzeiro.

Gremio, playing on Thursday, led with 44 points, followed by Cruzeiro on 39, Botafogo and Palmeira on 37, Sao Paulo with 36 and Coritiba on 35.

Cruziero midfielder Camilo was sent off in the 68th for a hard foul on attacker Wellington Paulista but it wasn't until Thiago Heleno fouled Wellington Paulista in the area in the 79th that Botafogo received its best …