Samu Aghehowa converted a VAR-awarded penalty after Noah Allen tripped João Mário. Goalkeeper Oscar Ustari got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out. (47’) Marcelo Weigandt’s cross found Telasco Segovia, who smashed home the equalizer just 90 seconds into the second half, (54’) After being fouled outside the box, Messi curled a perfect free-kick into the top right corner, his 68th career free-kick goal, sealing Miami’s historic win.
Porto’s Wastefulness Despite 14 shots, only 3 were on target. Aghehowa’s clinical penalty contrasted with sluggish midfield play. Overcame early VAR disappointment (Allen’s penalty concession) with a second-half surge. Ustari’s key saves.
This makes it the First CONCACAF victory over UEFA opposition in FIFA club history.
Post-Match
“The crowd’s ‘Messi! Messi!’ chants fueled me. This win proves we belong here.”
— Lionel Messi, post-match
Pablo Barrios opened scoring on the 11th minute with a first-time strike after Giuliano Simeone’s setup, rattling the crossbar before it went in, 47’ Axel Witsel headed home from close range after Frei parried Marcos Llorente’s shot onto the bar. In 55th minute Barrios sealed his brace with a half-volley off Llorente’s long throw.
Sounders’ Sole Consolation came in the 50th minute with Albert Rusnák capitalizing on a defensive chaos for a deflected goal.
Koke and Barrios overran Seattle’s press, forcing 15 turnovers. Sounders managed just 35% possession. Diego Simeone dropped Antoine Griezmann for Alexander Sorloth and started José Giménez over suspended Clément Lenglet—a move that solidified defense.
Players wore shirts pre-match protesting MLS’s $1 million cap on player prize money despite teams earning $9.55+ million for participation.
“We played with hunger after the PSG loss. Barrios? A star is born.”
— Diego Simeone, Atlético manager.
Palmeiras battled Al Ahly in a second round fifa club world cup, it was in the 49th minute that Wessam Abou Ali’s own goal a misjudged header from Aníbal Moreno’s free-kick—broke the deadlock. In the 59th minute José López doubled the lead after a swift counter, slotting past Mohamed El Shenawy.
A 17-minute halt in the 63rd minute due to severe weather forced players and fans indoors.
- 📉 Key Insights
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Al Ahly’s Struggles: Zero goals in two games despite 65% possession. Missed first-half chances cost them dearly.
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Palmeiras’ Efficiency: Two shots on target, two goals. Center-back duo Murilo and Gómez neutralized Al Ahly’s attacks.
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Red Card Reversed: Raphael Veiga’s 38th-minute red card was downgraded to yellow after VAR review—a critical reprieve.
At the 36th minute Igor Jesus, a Brazilian striker, scored a counterattack goal to complete the shock. Following Jefferson Savarino’s through ball, he outmuscled Messi’s former team PSG defenders Willian Pacho and Lucas Beraldo before firing a deflected shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma. Jesus rejoiced by leaping into the stands and was welcomed by Botafogo’s jubilant fans.
Botafogo surrendered possession (25% vs. PSG’s 75%) but deployed a compact 5-4-1 formation. Midfielders Gregore, Allan, and Marlon Freitas harried PSG’s playmaker Vitinha, forcing 12 turnovers. All 4 of Botafogo’s shots were on target, while PSG managed just 2 on frame from 16 attempts. Goalkeeper John made critical saves, including a close-range header from Gonçalo Ramos.
Luis Enrique benched key starters (Nuno Mendes, Marquinhos, Fabián Ruiz), fielding a weakened XI. Gonçalo Ramos and Senny Mayulu proved ineffective.
Enrique subbed in stars like Bradley Barcola and João Neves in the 55th minute, but PSG’s attack remained disjointed. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s late free kick sailed over the bar, summing up their frustration.
Botafogo (6 pts) now leads the group and needs only a draw vs. Atlético Madrid to advance. PSG (3 pts) must beat Seattle Sounders to avoid elimination. This marked the first win by a South American club over the reigning UEFA Champions League winner in the Club World Cup’s current format.
South American teams are now unbeaten in 8 games (5 wins, 3 draws) against other continents.Botafogo’s physicality and tactical discipline neutralized PSG’s technical flair, proving mid-season readiness matters.
“A lot of people wondered, but we showed how strong Botafogo is. We knew how important this game was.”
— Igor Jesus, Botafogo goalscorer.
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Injury Absences: Ballon d’Or contender Ousmane Dembélé missed the game with a quad injury, weakening PSG’s attack 3.
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Fatigue Factor: Players looked weary after a grueling season. PSG hadn’t lost since May 3, but their 13-game winning streak ended here 36.
Watch Live: DAZN (Global) | Fox Sports (USA)
Botafogo’s victory wasn’t luck—it was a strategic dismantling of European royalty. For PSG, the loss is a wake-up call: rotate stars at your peril. For football? Proof that the Club World Cup’s expanded format delivers drama no fan can afford to miss. As Jesus declared post-match: “I made the right choice to stay for this tournament” 9. The underdog era has arrived.
- 📊 Group Standings Shakeup
- Group A
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Team P W D L GD Pts Palmeiras 2 1 1 0 +2 4 Inter Miami 2 1 1 0 +1 4 Porto 2 0 1 1 -1 1 Al Ahly 2 0 1 1 -2 1 26
- Group B
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Team P W D L GD Pts PSG 1 1 0 0 +4 3 Atlético Madrid 2 1 0 1 -2 3 Botafogo 1 1 0 0 +1 3 Seattle Sounders 2 0 0 2 -3 0 28 - Seattle’s Fate: Eliminated if PSG win/draw vs. Botafogo.
Next Fixtures
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Inter Miami vs. Palmeiras (June 23): Group A decider at DRV PNK Stadium 7.
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Porto vs. Al Ahly (June 23): Both seek first wins to avoid elimination 4.
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Atlético vs. Botafogo (June 24): Winner likely advances to knockouts 8.
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Botafogo vs. Atlético Madrid (June 23, Rose Bowl): A draw sends the Brazilians through.
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PSG vs. Seattle Sounders (June 23, Seattle): PSG must win to keep knockout hopes alive 58.
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