Paris Saint-Germain suffered a shock 1-0 Club World Cup defeat against Brazilian side Botafogo on Thursday in a hardfought battle between the reigning champions of Europe and South America.
A first-half goal from Brazilian international Igor Jesus proved the difference as Botafogo all but sealed a place in the knockout rounds in front of a 53, 699 crowd at the Pasadena Rose Bowl.
French champions PSG are widely regarded as one of the favourites for FIFA’s 32-team tournament after a dazzling season which culminated with a scintillating 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the Champions League final last month.
But their hopes of securing a victory which would have seen them become the first side to reach the last 16 were stymied by a resilient performance from their opponents from Rio de Janeiro.
“A lot of people wondered, but we showed how strong Botafogo is”, goalscorer Jesus said after the win. “It was a difficult game, and we had to defend well, and we did our job and scored a goal.
” We’re really happy — we knew how important this game was. One team was the champion of the Champions League, the other team was the champion of South America, “added Jesus, who had been strongly linked with a move to English Premier League side Nottingham Forest earlier this year before opting to stay with the Brazilians to play in the Club World Cup.
” I think I made the right choice to stay in Botafogo, “Jesus quipped.
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‘Intense’
PSG coach Luis Enrique said his team had expected a tough battle.
” We knew it was going to be a very difficult match — they defended very well, “the Spaniard said.
” This Club World Cup is very intense and difficult, and all the teams are highly motivated, especially when they’re playing against us. “
The PSG manager though was adamant that the European champions still had plenty of time to resurrect their campaign.
” If there’s a team that can turn it around, it’s our team, “he said”. We’ve got to analyse this and there’s things we can improve. But I think our performance was good. “
PSG picked up where they had left off in Sunday’s 4-0 Group B rout of Atletico Madrid, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia testing Botafogo goalkeeper John with an early curling effort after just two minutes.
In a scrappy first half, puncted by a number of niggling fouls, the European champions couldn’t settle into their passing game, but that early effort was as close as PSG could get.
Despite dominating possession, Botafogo’s midfield trio of Marlon Freitas, Gregore, and Allan worked tirelessly to stop Vitinha, denying the skilled PSG playmaker the opportunity to launch attacks.
Instead, Botafogo opened the scoring in the 36th minute, going over the break.
Jesus flew past PSG on goal with a perfectly weighted through ball from Jefferson Savarino.
The Botafogo striker misjudiciously headed past PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma before deflecting a fine ball past the covering Willian Pacho.
PSG spent a lot of time in the final third of the second half camped out, but they continued to dominate possession throughout.
The Brazilians are now firmly in the last 16, with a final group game against Atletico Madrid scheduled for Monday in Pasadena, thanks to Botafogo’s defense remaining unwavering.
Source: Channels TV
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