It was expected and it happened. The famous “Libertadores atmosphere” for semi-final between Botafogo e Penarol It was already felt in the early hours of this Wednesday (10/23). Black and white fans set off fireworks in front of the hotel where the Uruguayan club’s delegation is staying, in Barra da Tijuca, West Zone of Rio de Janeiro.
Journalists and residents of the region recorded on the internet that the firestorm started around 3 am. With the aim of disturbing the opposing team’s night’s sleep, the fireworks were set off just a few meters from the stadium. Hotel Windsor Oceânico and provoked, in addition to very noise, flashes nas windows of the building. In some videos you can hear swearing aimed at Botafoguenses and even a siren of a Military Police vehicle.
“3 am and Botafogo fans set off lots of fireworks and bombs“, recorded the journalist Jorge Pariettino X, ex-Twitter.
“The old and blessed Copa Libertadores“, defined the reporter Klaus German also on social media.
Botafogo and Penãrol duel in the first leg of the semi-finals of Conmebol Libertadores-2024 on Wednesday night, at 9:30 p.m., at Nilton Santos Stadium.
See the videos below:
It was expected and it happened!
3 in the morning and at the Peñarol hotel many fireworks and bombs were thrown by the Botafogo fans.
The fans came out to the intersection but did not stop them.
The cup @Libertadores pic.twitter.com/amqGAyliNS
— jorge parietti (@jorgeparietti) October 23, 2024
I am staying next to the Windsor Barra Hotel, where the Peñarol delegation is located.
10 minutes ago (3:00am), Botafogo fans approached, lit fireworks and literally everything exploded.
The old and blessed LIBERTADORES CUP. pic.twitter.com/25jcUXFgim
— Klaus German (@klausgerman_) October 23, 2024
Libertadores Atmosphere: An Explosive Welcome for Peñarol
Ah, the surreal magic of football! You know you’re dealing with a classic Libertadores vibe when Brazilian fans decide that 3 AM is the perfect time to just let it all go with fireworks. And let me tell you, the Black and White army of Botafogo took this to the ‘next level’—which in this context means “to outer space and beyond!”
The usual tranquil night turned into a cacophonic symphony of booms and blasts as Botafogo supporters unleashed a firestorm outside the Windsor Oceânico Hotel—where the Peñarol delegation might have been expecting a good night’s sleep. I mean, who needs sleep before a big semi-final, right? For those ordered chaos aficionados among us, this was a splendid opening act. “Who needs fireworks on the 4th of July when you’ve got a Libertadores semi-final?” I can almost hear fans’ collective thoughts from the streets of Rio!
As local journalists and awake residents recorded the impressive light show on social media, one exclaimed, “It was expected and it happened!” Well, yes, Jorge—just like rain in Rio, or my chronic inability to avoid a misstep after consuming one too many caipirinhas. The Botafogo fans truly didn’t hold back, launching what looked a tad too close for comfort to a military-grade firework display, reportedly aimed at disturbing not only Peñarol’s beauty sleep, but possibly waking up the whole neighborhood!)
“3 AM and fireworks blasting! What a night!” was the shout echoed by Klaus German, another reporter who seemed thrilled—and maybe just a tad sleep-deprived—by the spectacle. It’s almost poetic, really. The old and blessed Copa Libertadores fostering such midnight creativity!
What’s the Point of Sleep Anyway?
So, while the hotels rattled and the local police’s sirens wailed in protest (because, of course, it’s not a football match in South America without a touch of police intervention), you’d think at least one fan might have thought, “Maybe we should let them sleep so they’re not grumpy on the pitch?” But breathless excitement often trumps logic, especially when your team could be a step closer to the final. Plus, there’s an inherent beauty in chaos, like a bird trying to sing opera—but instead sounding like a strangled goose!
Now, for those who haven’t seen it yet, let’s dive into some of the best tweets documenting this glorious chaos:
It was expected and it happened! 3 in the morning and at the Peñarol hotel many fireworks and bombs were thrown by the Botafogo fans. The fans came out to the intersection but did not stop them. The cup @Libertadores
I am staying next to the Windsor Barra Hotel, where the Peñarol delegation is located. 10 minutes ago (3:00am), Botafogo fans approached, lit fireworks and literally everything exploded. The old and blessed LIBERTADORES CUP.
As the night progresses and the match eventually kicks off at Nilton Santos Stadium at 9:30 PM, one thing’s for sure: the atmosphere is thick with anticipation—and perhaps a few lingering fireworks in the air! We all know Liberdade cannot be spelled without a little chaos. And for the Peñarol players, let’s just hope their night wasn’t too explosive, or they may just find themselves ‘fired up’ in more ways than one on the pitch!
Conclusion
So, who’s ready for a night of football that promises more drama than a soap opera? This is Brazilian football at its finest, folks—full of passion, craziness, and just a dash of utter madness. Do buckle up; it’s going to be a bumpy ride!
