In a stunning upset at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, South American champions Botafogo defeated Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain 1-0. The match, held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, saw Igor Jesus score the decisive goal in the first half, propelling the Brazilian side to the top of Group B.
PSG, considered a favorite in the 32-team tournament after their dominant Champions League victory over Inter Milan, struggled to break down Botafogo's disciplined defense. Despite controlling possession and creating more chances, the European champions were stifled by Botafogo's midfield trio of Marlon Freitas, Gregore and Allan, who worked tirelessly to close down Vitinha and deny him space to launch attacks.
Botafogo's goal came against the run of play in the 36th minute. Jefferson Savarino's perfectly weighted through ball split the PSG defense, sending Igor Jesus racing through on goal. The Brazilian striker wrongfooted Willian Pacho before sweeping a shot that took a slight deflection past PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. It was Jesus' fifth goal in his last seven appearances.
PSG came into the match on a six-game winning streak, having thrashed Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid in their previous two fixtures by a combined score of 9-0. However, they found Botafogo a tough nut to crack from the start. Their failure to capitalize on their dominance of possession was punished by Jesus's goal.
In the second half, PSG continued to dominate possession and spent long periods camped in Botafogo's final third. However, Botafogo's defense held firm, denying PSG any clear-cut opportunities to equalize.
The result marks a significant victory for Botafogo, who have now won both of their matches in the tournament. They will guarantee progress to the knockout rounds if they avoid defeat against Atletico Madrid in their final group game. For PSG, the defeat leaves them in a precarious position, and they now face a must-win match against Seattle Sounders to avoid possible elimination.
The match was played in front of a lively crowd of 53,699 at the Rose Bowl. The atmosphere was particularly vibrant thanks to the thousands of boisterous Brazilian fans who made the trip to celebrate one of the most remarkable victories in Botafogo's history.
The Club World Cup has faced some challenges in its early stages, including low attendance and hot weather. However, the Botafogo-PSG match was one of six games that have drawn more than 50,000 fans, highlighting the appeal of high-profile clashes.
PSG's coach, Luis Enrique, had anticipated a tough challenge from Botafogo, acknowledging their historic status and intense style of play. Despite the defeat, he insisted that his squad was ready to adapt to any scenario and expressed his hope of putting on a good show for the fans.
Igor Jesus, the hero of the match, expressed his happiness after the win, stating, "A lot of people wondered, but we showed how strong Botafogo is. It was a difficult game, and we had to defend well, and we did our job and scored a goal." He also quipped about his decision to stay with Botafogo to play in the Club World Cup, saying, "I think I made the right choice."
