The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has already produced its first major shock as Atlético Madrid, despite a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Botafogo, have been eliminated from the tournament. The Spanish side's journey concludes in the group stage, while Botafogo, defying expectations, advance to the Round of 16.

Group B proved to be a tightly contested affair, with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Botafogo, and Atlético Madrid all finishing with six points. However, Atlético's earlier 4-0 defeat at the hands of PSG proved to be their undoing. Goal difference became the deciding factor, and Atlético Madrid's -1 was not enough to secure passage to the next round. PSG topped the group, while Botafogo secured second place.

Atlético Madrid entered the final matchday needing a victory by at least two goals against Botafogo, combined with a favorable result in the PSG vs. Seattle Sounders match. While Antoine Griezmann's late goal in the 87th minute did secure a 1-0 win for the Spanish side, it wasn't enough to overcome their goal difference deficit.

Botafogo, the reigning South American champions, adopted a resilient defensive strategy against Atlético. Their goalkeeper, John, proved to be a formidable barrier, making five crucial saves to limit Atlético to a single goal. Despite being outshot 23-7, Botafogo's strategy and resilience paid off, securing their place in the next round. Botafogo also had their own chances, with Jan Oblak forced into saves to deny Jefferson Savarino and Igor Jesus.

Adding to the drama, a controversial moment occurred in the first half when Atlético's Julián Alvarez went down in the box, but a VAR review denied a penalty, further frustrating Diego Simeone and his team. Simeone voiced his displeasure after the match, criticizing the refereeing decisions and lamenting the impact of their earlier loss to PSG.

PSG, meanwhile, secured their place at the top of Group B with a comfortable 2-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi scored for the European champions, ensuring their progression to the Round of 16. PSG will now face the Group A runners-up.

Botafogo's advancement represents a significant achievement for the Brazilian club. In 2020, the team was relegated from Brazil's top-flight but has since mounted a comeback, now finding themselves among the top 16 clubs in the world. Their 1-0 upset victory over PSG earlier in the group stage was a key factor in their success.

Botafogo's coach, Renato Paiva, acknowledged the unlikelihood of their qualification before the tournament began. Their success is a testament to their hard work and strategic approach. Botafogo will face the winner of Group A in the next round, with a potential all-Brazilian clash against Palmeiras on the horizon.