Brazilian side Botafogo pulled off the shock of the tournament by defeating Paris St-Germain 1-0 at the Club World Cup. The result marks the biggest upset so far, as the newly crowned Copa Libertadores champions got the better of the current European titleholders.
Igor Jesus, 24, scored the only goal of the game in the first half. The striker found the net with a low drive from outside the area that took a deflection off defender Willian Pacho and wrong-footed goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Brazilian outfit showed remarkable resilience to withstand heavy pressure from Luis Enrique’s men. Despite several promising chances for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Goncalo Ramos, the French champions failed to break through.
Underdogs on the rise in early matches
The result adds to what has been a positive tournament for South American clubs, none of whom have lost during the first week of play. After Bayern Munich’s 10-0 thrashing of Auckland in the opening match, there were questions about the competitiveness of the event. However, Botafogo’s disciplined display has challenged that narrative.
Paris St-Germain were widely expected to win comfortably given the resources and pedigree at their disposal. However, Botafogo’s effort, built on a solid defensive shape and moments of individual quality, proved too strong on the day.
“We showed everyone what this team is capable of,” said goalscorer Jesus, who continues to gain admirers for his performances on the international stage. His efforts have drawn interest from clubs across Europe, including Premier League side Nottingham Forest.
Luis Enrique admitted his team were well aware of the challenge before kick-off. “We knew it would be a tough match. They defended with great organization,” said the PSG boss. “This tournament is demanding, and all the teams give everything when facing us.”
Jesus delivers when it matters
Brazil international Jesus continues to shine for Botafogo after a standout year. Though he received limited service throughout the contest, he made his chance count in the 36th minute after a swift counterattack. A clever touch helped him evade Pacho before launching a shot that deflected in.
The goal was a reward for his determination and composure in a match where opportunities were rare. Capped four times by his national team, Jesus may not have had a high number of touches, but his impact proved decisive.
Botafogo now have six points from two matches and are nearly certain to progress to the next round. Their final group game is against Atletico Madrid on Monday at 20:00 BST. PSG, who will look to bounce back, face Seattle Sounders at the same time and remain in contention for a place in the knockouts.
