Pasadena, California – In a surprising turn of events, Botafogo stunned Paris Saint-Germain, the Champions League titleholders, with a 1-0 victory on Thursday night during their second match in the Club World Cup.
Igor Jesus found the net just before halftime, marking a tense second half for the South American champions, who now stand at 2-0-0 in the group stage.
This defeat is a rarity for PSG, who hadn’t lost in the competition since May 3. The European champions, however, appeared somewhat fatigued in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 53,699 at the Rose Bowl.
Jesus’ impressive goal at the 36-minute mark was the first that PSG has conceded since May 17, when they dominated Atletico Madrid 4-0 in Pasadena just last Sunday.
The French club had previously overwhelmed its last three opponents with a total score of 12-0 and secured victories in both the French Cup and Champions League finals along the way.
Missing from PSG’s lineup again was Ballon D’Or contender Ousmane Dembélé, sidelined with a quadriceps injury. Despite manager Luis Enrique rotating the starting lineup, his team still maintained possession during the first half.
Jesus showcased his individual skill by skillfully receiving a long pass from Jefferson Sabarino, deftly maneuvering past two defenders and firing a shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma. He celebrated jubilantly with Botafogo fans after scoring, climbing up to the front row of the Rose Bowl.
Key Moments
PSG finished the match with a total of 16 shots, but only four were on target, while Botafogo managed to land all four of their attempts on goal. It was, I think, a missed opportunity for the French giants.
Summary
While PSG has struggled to find their rhythm lately, marked by a lack of the brilliant plays that once defined them, they are still in a solid position as they prepare to face the Seattle Sounders in Major League Soccer on Monday.
Many passionate Brazilian fans made the trip to celebrate what could be one of Botafogo’s most important victories in their history. Looking ahead, they will face Atletico at the Rose Bowl on Monday, presenting a significant chance to progress from this tough group.
