How Botafogo Defied Expectations to Beat PSG in the Most Shocking Result of the Club World Cup To Date

The Club World Cup is capturing the attention of football enthusiasts after a tepid beginning, largely thanks to Botafogo’s unexpected triumph over European champions, Paris Saint-Germain.

Before the tournament kicked off, Luis Enrique’s squad was touted as a strong contender for the title in this newly revamped event. Their dominance in the Champions League and complete control over the Ligue 1 competition set high expectations.

Indeed, witnessing the Ligue 1 behemoths shift through the gears with ease in certain matches has been a delight for football fans.

However, PSG had a golden opportunity to seize this match, and despite their efforts, it simply wasn’t their day.

Vitinha’s Exceptional Display Continues

Boasting 74.6% possession and completing 749 passes against Brazil’s 262, PSG demonstrated remarkable control throughout the game.

Vitinha’s remarkable stat of 144 passes—an unmatched record in the tournament thus far—deserved better recognition as the Portuguese midfielder tirelessly navigated the pitch, tirelessly searching for openings during the match.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a frequent standout for PSG, must have also felt frustrated as his five attempts on goal failed to convert.

As is often the case, when a team accustomed to a fast-paced, attacking style is disrupted, regaining rhythm proves challenging.

Botafogo’s Gregore made certain his side wasn’t overwhelmed, registering six fouls, predominantly of a tactical nature, more than any other player, which hinted at Renato Paiva’s game plan.

Botafogo’s Strength Disrupts PSG’s Flow

This resoluteness was evident across the team—Alexander Barboza recorded the highest tackle count with six. Though at times their approach wasn’t visually appealing, Paiva understood prior to kick-off that engaging in an open contest with PSG could lead to disaster, as evidenced by many teams’ experiences in the 2024/25 season.

The absence of Ousmane Dembele’s speed and unpredictability was keenly felt, while Desire Doue, normally impactful, had an unusually quiet outing, managing just two shots. Despite attempting five crosses—more than any other player—those rarely posed a threat to their Brazilian rivals.

In a more central attacking role, Goncalo Ramos was conspicuously absent, managing just seven touches in the first half, which likely contributed to Luis Enrique’s animated antics on the sidelines, where he was seen expressing his frustration towards his striker multiple times.

Despite PSG’s intent to press forward, Botafogo appeared satisfied to absorb the relentless pressure. The statistics tell a clear story: 31 total crosses to Botafogo’s three, 10 corners to one, and 41 dribbles attempted by PSG compared to just 16 from the Brazilian outfit illustrate the game’s one-sided nature at times.

Yet, Botafogo managed to make more tackles (23 to 19) and completed more successfully (15 to 12), enabling them to occasionally counterattack their more illustrious opponents.

One Strike, One Goal for Jesus

In a moment where several PSG players found themselves out of position following a failed offensive manoeuvre, Igor Jesus capitalised with a well-placed shot that resulted in the game’s only goal and his second of the tournament.

This was one of only four shots recorded by Botafogo during the entire match, which points to a tactical blueprint that might well serve as a guide for other clubs in this tournament and the upcoming 2025/26 season, given its effectiveness.

The effort displayed by Botafogo can’t be overlooked either. Multiple players showcased their determination, with six of them winning back possession at least four times. Even if victory eluded them, their commitment and intensity were commendable.

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PSG’s Frustration Reigns

Given PSG’s expected victory in this match, frustration soon began to permeate their gameplay as the minutes passed—a response that Botafogo would have eagerly anticipated.

The exuberant celebrations at full-time distinctly highlighted how significant this win was for every player, rattling Group B in the process.

As a result of this solitary goal, Botafogo now leads the group with six points, while PSG and Atletico Madrid each have three, leaving Seattle Sounders at the bottom with no points to their name.

The only way Atletico can advance is to defeat the Brazilians by at least three clear goals in their final encounter.

This presents a real challenge for Diego Simeone and his Atleti squad, who are well-versed in a more physical style of play and will likely adapt to any tactics employed by their opponents. The key question for Botafogo now is whether they can modify their game plan to secure their place in the tournament.