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Key Points

Botafogo pulled off a stunning 1-0 victory over European champions PSG in the FIFA Club World Cup. Igor Jesus' deflected strike sealed the win, extending his scoring streak to five goals in seven games. PSG, despite dominating possession, failed to break down Botafogo's resilient defense. The Brazilian side now leads Group B, needing just a draw against Atletico to advance.

Key Points: Botafogo Upset PSG in FIFA Club World Cup Shock Win

  • Botafogo stun PSG 1-0 in Club World Cup upset
  • Igor Jesus scores fifth goal in seven games
  • PSG's six-game winning streak ends
  • Brazilians top Group B ahead of Atletico
2 min read

Club WC: Botafogo stun European champions PSG

Botafogo stun European champions PSG 1-0 in a historic FIFA Club World Cup upset, topping Group B with Igor Jesus' decisive goal.

"We killed PSG with the same poison. That is by being a great team, playing together... - Renato Paiva, Botafogo head coach"

Pasadena, June 20

Botafogo pulled off the biggest upset of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 so far and took a huge step towards the last 16 by beating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the Rose Bowl.

The CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores holders now sit top of Group B, three points clear of both PSG and Atletico de Madrid, after a solitary Igor Jesus goal stunned their UEFA Champions League counterparts.

The French champions PSG now head to Seattle to take on the Sounders with qualification at stake, while Botafogo will only need to take a point against Atletico in LA to be sure of reaching the Round of 16.

PSG came into this match on a red-hot six-game winning streak, with FC Internazionale Milano and Atletico de Madrid dispatched by an aggregate score of 9-0 in their two most recent fixtures.

The seemingly unstoppable European champions found Botafogo a tough nut to crack from the start, however, and their failure to capitalise on a dominance of possession was punished nine minutes before half-time, FIFA reports.

Snatching possession, Botafogo launched a lightning counter-attack, with the in-form Igor Jesus showing pace and power to race through on to a Jefferson Savarino pass, hold off two PSG defenders and fire goalwards. The ball took a wicked deflection on its way past the wrong-footed Gianluigi Donnarumma but the Brazilians had earned their good fortune, and the goal – the Botafogo talisman’s fifth in his last seven appearances - was celebrated in justifiably joyous fashion.

Even more surprising, perhaps, is that the expected PSG onslaught never truly materialised. At no stage did Luis Enrique’s side’s territorial advantage translate to a series of clear-cut chances, and the few efforts they did have were repelled comfortably by John in the Botafogo goal.

"We killed PSG with the same poison. That is by being a great team, playing together with all the guys defending and all attacking. That’s the big secret of PSG, why they compete and win. This PSG side is a lesson to everybody in football and I told my guys to just be a team, enjoy, play together, attack together, defend together. [We showed] the quality of Brazilian players and coaches, and this is a victory of all the coaches that are working in Brazil, working with great players," Renato Paiva, Botafogo head coach

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
What a match! Brazilian football showing why it's still the most exciting in the world. PSG's possession means nothing without cutting edge. Reminds me of our Indian team sometimes - lots of passes but no finishing 😅
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Priya M.
As someone who follows both European and South American football, this result proves money can't buy everything. PSG's superstars looked clueless against Botafogo's teamwork. More proof that football is a team sport first! 🇧🇷⚽
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Arjun S.
Donnarumma getting beaten by a deflection - reminds me of our goalkeepers in ISL! Jokes aside, this is why I love the Club World Cup. Underdogs showing their mettle against the so-called giants. Hope we see more surprises!
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Neha V.
While I'm happy for Botafogo, I can't help but feel this exposes PSG's weakness against organized defenses. They need to learn from teams like this if they want to win the Champions League. Maybe they should scout some Brazilian coaches!
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Sanjay P.
Watching this match at 3 AM was totally worth it! The passion from Botafogo players was something else. Makes me wish Indian football had this level of intensity. Maybe one day our clubs can compete at this stage too 🤞
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Kavita R.
PSG's performance was disappointing but let's give credit where it's due - Botafogo's defensive organization was world class. That counterattack goal was pure Brazilian magic! Hope they go far in the tournament.

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