In a tense battle between the reigning champions of Europe and South America, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) lost to Brazilian side Botafogo 1-0.
Igor Jesus’ first-half goal on Thursday provided the catalyst for Botafogo’s victory in front of a 53, 699-person crowd at the Pasadena Rose Bowl in front of a 53, 699-person crowd.
After a fantastic season that ended with a stunning 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final last month, French champion PSG are widely regarded as one of the favorites for FIFA’s 32-team competition.
However, their hopes of capturing a victory, which would have allowed them to advance to the last 16, were thwarted by their Rio de Janeiro opponents’ unwavering efforts.
Goal scorer Jesus stated after the victory that “many people wondered, but we demonstrated how strong Botafogo is.” We did our job and scored a goal in a challenging game, and we did it well.
We’re extremely pleased because we already knew how crucial this game was. “added Jesus,” who had been closely linked with a move to English Premier League side Nottingham Forest earlier this year, before choosing to stay with the Brazilians to play in the Club World Cup, was champion of the Champions League and champion of South America.
Jesus remarked, “I think I made the right decision to stay in Botafogo.”
PSG’s setback
Luis Enrique, the coach of PSG, stated that his team had anticipated a difficult battle.
The Spaniard said, “We knew it would be a very difficult match; they defended very well.”
All the teams are extremely motivated, especially when playing against us, and this Club World Cup is very intense and challenging.
However, the PSG manager remained unwavering about the possibility of the European champions winning again.
He said, “Our team is the one who can turn things around,” and that’s what he meant. There are things we can do to improve upon this, but we have to analyze it. But I think it was a good performance.
In Sunday’s 4-0 Group B victory over Atletico Madrid, PSG continued their winning ways with a late curling effort from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia against Botafogo goalkeeper John.
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 second half.
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: Aljazeera
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