The champion of South America and Brazil triumphed over the European champion and the strongest team on the planet in 2025, Paris Saint-Germain, with a 1–0 (1–0) victory in the second round of the FIFA Club World Cup group stage. The decisive goal came from Igor Jesus in the 36th minute, creating the perfect advertisement for the tournament’s new format. Botafogo played in a state of ecstasy, wearing a crest adorned with a star that now symbolizes not only the past, but something eternal and sublime. A club often overshadowed by the glamour of its domestic rivals, it now shone under the global spotlight, in the same light once illuminated by the greatest poets of the game.2012 – @botafogo’s win over Paris SG is the first victory by a South American team over a European team in the @FIFACWC (including previous formats) since Corinthians beat Chelsea in the 2012 final. Toppled. pic.twitter.com/WBQ3N5EOvR— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 20, 2025 And the “Saints” from Paris? It slowly turned into a shadow, a wax figure melting under the South American sun. Botafogo didn’t just beat PSG—they broke them down tactically and forced them, for the first time in many months, to realize they were just a team of ordinary mortals. This was a requiem. The players in black and white didn’t dominate possession (only 26%), nor did they look like an orchestra of virtuosos. But they played as if defending the honor of an entire continent. Botafogo stood like an army around a fortress. Barbosa, Freitas, goalkeeper John—all played beyond their limits, while players like Artur and Gregore poured their souls onto the pitch. The Parisians—European champions—had to bow down. Not to the star on the Eiffel Tower, but to the star from Rio. As the Brazilians celebrated as if they had conquered the world, the holy club from the City of Light knelt. PSG, fresh European champions, got something money can’t buy: a lesson in what defeat looks like when you’re beaten by belief.🚨 IGOR JESUS SCORES FOR BOTAFOGO VS PSG 🤯🤯🔥pic.twitter.com/opV0a4ZwJ3— Goals ⚽ (@Goals360hub) June 20, 2025 Because Botafogo believed. They believed even when the French closed in, even when Kvaratskhelia worked his magic, even when they were falling under wave after wave of Parisian pressure. They believed when Due roamed the middle, when Ramos headed dangerously in the 52nd minute, when corners flew like bullets. All in vain. Because on the other end stood John, the goalkeeper. Then, in the 37th minute, came the reward. Igor Jesus, by no means the central figure of the match, found space at the edge of the box and fired. It wasn’t spectacular, but it was life-giving. The shot deflected off a defender and fooled Donnarumma. At that moment, the power went out in Parisian brilliance. 1–0. No turning back.CWC: Messi’s winner for the Inter turnaroundThe French kept dominating, but with no key to unlock the defense. Kvaratskhelia missed (6’, 47’, 90+2’), Due faltered in the final third, Barcola couldn’t find the target. Luis Enrique subbed frantically—four changes by the 56th minute! Fabián Ruiz, Bradley Barcola, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves—all thrown into battle, but the door stayed shut. After two rounds, Botafogo leads with six points, PSG and Atletico have three each, and Seattle has none. Botafogo must still be extremely cautious: in the final match, they must not lose to Atletico by more than one goal—otherwise, they are likely to be eliminated, assuming PSG beats Seattle. If Botafogo draws or loses by just one goal, they are guaranteed to reach the Round of 16.FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025Matchday 2ThursdayPalmeiras – Al Ahly Cairo 2-0 (0-0)/Abou Ali (og) 49, Lopez 59/Inter Miami – Porto 2-1 (0-1)/Segovia 47, Messi 54 – Aghehowa 8(p)/FridaySeattle – Atletico Madrid 1-3 (0-1)/Rusnak 50 – Barrios 11, 55, Witsel 47/PSG – Botafogo 0-1 (0-1)/Jesus 36/19:00: (1.01) Benfica (17.0) Auckland (95.0)21:00: (4.40) Flamengo (3.50) Chelsea (1.85)Saturday00:55: (1.90) Los Angeles (3.45) Esperance (4.20)04:00: (1.22) Bayern (6.50) Boca Juniors (12.0)19:00: (9.00) Mamelodi (5.80) Dortmund (1.30)22:00: (1.20) Inter Milan (6.75) Urawa RD (14.0)Sunday00:55: (1.27) Fluminense (5.60) Ulsan (12.0)04:00: (2.15) River Plate (3.35) Monterrey (3.45)19:00: (1.22) Juventus (6.25) Wydad Casablanca (14.0)22:00: (1.22) Real Madrid (6.50) Pachuca (12.0)Monday00:55: (4.10) Salzburg (3.60) Al Hilal (1.88)04:00: (1.05) Man.City (14.0) Al Ain (35.0)***odds are subject to change***
