Botafogo's defense stood tall till the end to leave them in the driver’s seat of Group B with six points from two matches.
In one of the most sensational results of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 so far, South American champions Botafogo stunned UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain with a gritty 1-0 win. PSG were unbeaten in their last nine matches and boasted 75% possession and took 16 shots in the match. However, they were held scoreless for the first time in three months as Botafogo delivered a tactical masterclass that defied the odds.
Botafogo didn’t just ride their luck, they outthought and outmaneuvered one the best side in European football. Manager Renato Paiva deployed a disciplined 4-5-1 defensive block. TThe Brazilian side’s gameplan was to invie PSG wide and then they overloaded the flanks with quick 2v3 press traps. By narrowing the midfield and forcing PSG into wide zones, Botafogo nullified Kvaratskhelia’s early threat and kept Gonçalo Ramos isolated.
Even though Kvaratskhelia got two great chances in the first 15 minutes of the game, but Botafogo implemented their gameplanto perfection as the game went on. Their pressing intensity matched PSG’s tempo, and every transition was met with midfield pressure to deny PSG space. Notably, Botafogo had just four shots in the match and all of them were on target. With only 25% possession, the Brazilians counter-attacked with good effect and it paid off in the 36th minute.
The breakthrough came from a quick turnover. Jefferson Savarino pounced in midfield, releasing a sharp ball through a narrow channel between PSG centre-backs Willian Pacho and Lucas Beraldo. The ball looked harmless until striker Igor Jesus surged through the gap, shrugged off the two PSG defenders, and rifled a deflected effort past Gianluigi Donnarumma. From there on, Botafogo defended with discipline. Their goalkeeper John made a brilliant save to deny Ramos in the second-half.
Luis Enrique’s decision to rotate heavily backfired as he left out Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes, and Fabian Ruiz on the bench. PSG controlled the game but lacked cohesion in the final third. Youngsters Senny Mayulu and Zaire-Emery were overrun in midfield, and despite Khvicha Kvaratskhelia creating early chances, the PSG attack fizzled until the 55th-minute substitutions from Enrique.
Barcola, Neves, Ruiz, and Mendes brought renewed energy to PSG, but by then, Botafogo had dropped deeper. Their confidence grew with every cleared ball. PSG had 10 corners in the game but none truly threatened and Botafogo’s defense stood tall till the end to leave them in the driver’s seat of Group B with six points from two matches.
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