In a tournament where the big names are expected to dominate, Brazilian underdogs Botafogo just flipped the script in California—handing Paris Saint-Germain a surprising 1-0 defeat in the Club World Cup.
Paris Arrive as Favourites But Come Up Short
After a dominant season capped off by a 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the Champions League final, PSG came into the revamped 32-team Club World Cup as one of the clear frontrunners.
They hadn’t lost a single match since May 3, and everything pointed toward another routine win, especially after their opening 4-0 cruise past Atletico Madrid.
But their momentum came to a screeching halt at the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Wednesday night.
Igor Jesus Seizes the Moment
The only goal of the game came late in the first half, courtesy of Botafogo’s Igor Jesus.
The Brazilian striker latched onto a beautifully weighted through ball from Jefferson Savarino, left PSG defender Willian Pacho wrong-footed, and sent his shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma—with a slight deflection helping it along the way.
Despite PSG’s aggressive start and early chances—particularly from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia—it was Botafogo who struck first and held firm.
PSG Rotation Fails to Pay Off
Manager Luis Enrique decided to shuffle the deck, with Goncalo Ramos leading the line in place of the injured Ousmane Dembele.
While the Parisians had more than enough firepower on the pitch, their finishing lacked its usual clinical edge.
A would-be equalizer from Bradley Barcola brought some brief excitement—but VAR ruled it offside, much to PSG’s frustration.
Botafogo Dig In for a Famous Win
Botafogo’s gritty defending and disciplined shape frustrated PSG throughout the second half.
Despite wave after wave of Parisian attacks, the Brazilian side stayed compact and saw the match out for a historic win.
It’s a result that sends Botafogo flying high into their final group match, now firmly in contention for a last-16 spot.
Luis Enrique Admits It Was a Struggle
After the final whistle, PSG coach Luis Enrique acknowledged that his team simply couldn’t crack Botafogo’s defense. “This competition is intense and tough,” he said.
“Teams are highly motivated when they play against us. Botafogo is one of the best defensive sides here.”
What Happens Next for PSG?
The loss doesn’t end PSG’s tournament hopes, but it does mean they have to beat MLS side Seattle Sounders—who have already been knocked out—to stay alive.
And if they want to avoid the embarrassment of being the first Champions League holder to crash out early to a South American team since Chelsea’s shock loss to Corinthians in 2012, they’ll need to regroup fast.