Rio de Janeiro, Nov 19 (IANS): Botafogo dealt a blow to Internacional's Brazilian Serie A title hopes with a 1-0 victory in their clash here.
Forward Erik on Sunday struck the winner for the hosts just before half-time by rifling a low shot past goalkeeper Marcelo Lomba following a Matheus Fernandes cross, reports Xinhua news agency.
Internacional's frustration at failing to equalise boiled over when Wellington Silva and Rodrigo Moledo were sent off for rash challenges late in the match.
The result at the Nilton Santos stadium extended Botafogo's winning run to four straight games while Internacional have won just four of their past 11.
The Rio outfit are now ninth in the 20-team standings, having staved off the threat of relegation. Internacional are third, six points behind leaders Palmeiras with three games remaining in the season.