Palmeiras secures their spot in the Club World Cup quarterfinals after defeating Brazilian rivals Botafogo in a hard-fought encounter. A decisive extra-time goal propelled Palmeiras to victory, setting up a thrilling quarterfinal clash against either Benfica or Chelsea.
In an anticipated all-Brazilian showdown at the Club World Cup, Palmeiras emerged victorious over Botafogo on Saturday, demonstrating resilience and tactical prowess.
The decisive moment came in the first half of extra time when Paulinho netted the winning goal, securing Palmeiras’ progression to the quarterfinals.
The match saw Palmeiras dominating possession early on, while Botafogo adopted a more cautious approach, seemingly content to absorb pressure rather than engage in a high press.
Despite Botafogo’s defensive discipline, Palmeiras created several promising opportunities. A notable chance arose when Vitor Roque narrowly missed connecting with Joaquin Piquerez’s dangerous cross, highlighting Palmeiras’ early attacking intent.
The first half was characterized by robust challenges from both sides, reflecting the intense rivalry between the two Brazilian giants. Despite a collision between Igor Jesus and Gustavo Gomez, play continued without immediate disciplinary action, underscoring the physicality of the contest.
Palmeiras continued to press, with Gomez nearly scoring from a corner, but Botafogo’s defense held firm, leading to a goalless first 45 minutes marked by limited attacking fluidity.
Richard Rios’ powerful shot just over the bar in injury time represented the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock.
The second half saw an increase in attacking urgency from Palmeiras. Botafogo’s goalkeeper, John, who was arguably his side’s standout performer, made a series of crucial saves, denying Estevao and Mauricio with impressive stops.
Estevao did find the back of the net moments later, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Meanwhile, Botafogo’s attacking forays were rare, with Jefferson Savarino firing over in one of their few attempts.
As the match progressed, Botafogo’s defensive mindset suggested a preference for extra time. However, this strategy backfired in the 100th minute.
Paulinho showcased individual brilliance, cutting in from the right, beating his marker, and unleashing a low shot that beat John at the far post, finally breaking the deadlock.
Trailing by a goal, Botafogo finally pushed forward, with Joaquin Correa posing a threat with his crosses. Despite Gomez receiving a second yellow card late in the game, reducing Palmeiras to ten men, they defended resolutely to secure a well-deserved victory.
This win marks Palmeiras’ first triumph over Botafogo since 2023, propelling them deeper into the Club World Cup challenge.