In a pulsating encounter at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Palmeiras secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brazilian rivals Botafogo in the round of 16 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup on June 28, 2025. The match, a showcase of intensity and tactical discipline, was decided by a moment of brilliance from Paulinho in the 100th minute of extra time, sending Palmeiras into the quarterfinals and ending Botafogo’s campaign on the global stage.
The game began with both teams displaying the familiarity expected of two sides who have clashed repeatedly in Brazil’s Serie A and Copa Libertadores. Palmeiras, led by coach Abel Ferreira, controlled much of the early possession, with young star Estêvão testing Botafogo’s goalkeeper John with a fierce right-footed strike in the second half, only to be denied by a superb save. Botafogo, buoyed by their stunning group-stage upset over Paris Saint-Germain, adopted a more cautious approach, relying on the pace of Igor Jesus to threaten on the counter. Despite their efforts, Botafogo struggled to create clear chances, managing just one shot on target compared to Palmeiras’ seven.
As the match progressed, tension mounted. A controversial moment arose when Estêvão’s potential goal was ruled out for offside, sparking protests from the Palmeiras bench. The game remained scoreless through regulation time, with both defenses holding firm. Botafogo’s Alexander Barboza earned a yellow card early in the match, ruling him out of their next domestic fixture, while Palmeiras’ Gustavo Gomez was sent off in the dying minutes of extra time, leaving his side to defend their lead with ten men.
The decisive moment came in extra time when Paulinho, capitalizing on a swift counterattack, broke into the Botafogo penalty area and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner. The goal, celebrated wildly by Palmeiras’ traveling fans, marked the first time since November 2023 that Palmeiras had overcome Botafogo, ending a five-match winless streak against their rivals. The Sao Paulo side’s resilience was tested further after Gomez’s red card, but they held firm under relentless pressure from Botafogo, who pushed for an equalizer but found Palmeiras’ goalkeeper unyielding.
This victory propels Palmeiras into the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of the Benfica-Chelsea clash on July 4. For Botafogo, the defeat marks the end of a spirited Club World Cup run that saw them topple European giants. They now turn their focus to the Brazilian Serie A, with a match against Vasco da Gama on July 12. Palmeiras, meanwhile, continue their quest for global glory, carrying the momentum of this historic win and their unbeaten record against Brazilian clubs abroad.