On June 20, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the reigning European champions and 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League winners, suffered a stunning 0-1 defeat to Brazilian side Botafogo in the FIFA Club World Cup Group B match held at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. This unexpected result sent shockwaves across the football world, as PSG, a club fresh off a historic European treble, failed to assert their dominance against the South American champions.
The match was a showcase of contrasting styles and fortunes. PSG dominated possession, controlling the ball for approximately 74% of the first half, peppering the Botafogo goal with 16 shots compared to only 4 from their opponents. They also enjoyed a significant edge in set-piece opportunities, winning 10 corners to Botafogo's single corner. Yet, despite this overwhelming statistical superiority, PSG found themselves trailing at halftime.
Botafogo’s solitary goal came in the 36th minute, courtesy of striker Igor Jesus. The goal was crafted from a clever through ball by Jefferson Savarino, who found Jesus slicing between PSG defenders Lucas Beraldo and Willian Pacho. Jesus dribbled deftly past the defenders and unleashed a right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty arc. The ball deflected off Pacho’s leg, wrong-footing PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, and nestled into the bottom right corner of the net. This marked Jesus’s second consecutive goal in the tournament, following his decisive header against Seattle Sounders in Botafogo’s opening group match.
PSG’s starting lineup reflected their status as European heavyweights, deploying a 4-3-3 formation under coach Luis Enrique. The defensive line featured Achraf Hakimi, Lucas Beraldo, Willian Pacho, and Lucas Hernandez, while the midfield trio consisted of Senny Mayulu, Vitinha, and Warren Zaïre-Emery. Up front, the dynamic attacking trio of Désiré Doué, Gonçalo Ramos, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia sought to break down Botafogo’s disciplined defense. South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in, who had scored a crucial penalty in PSG’s 4-0 demolition of Atlético Madrid in the tournament opener, began the match on the bench.
Botafogo lined up in a 4-5-1 formation, prioritizing a compact defensive shape and quick counterattacks. Goalkeeper John Victor marshaled the backline, supported by defenders Vitinho, Jair Cunha, Alexander Barboza, and Alex Telles. Their midfield featured a hardworking quintet of Arthur, Marlon Freitas, Allan Marques, Gregore, and Jefferson Savarino, with Igor Jesus as the lone striker spearheading the attack.
Despite PSG’s early dominance, Botafogo’s defensive resilience and tactical discipline frustrated the European champions. The Brazilian side patiently absorbed pressure, denying PSG clear-cut chances and relying on quick breaks to threaten the counterattack. PSG’s inability to convert their possession and shot count into goals underscored the challenge of breaking down well-organized defenses.
After conceding, PSG intensified their offensive efforts. Early in the second half, Botafogo’s Alex Telles and Marlon Freitas launched attacks, but without success. In response, Luis Enrique made a bold tactical move in the 10th minute of the second half, substituting four players simultaneously: Bradley Barcola, Fabian Ruiz, João Neves, and Nuno Mendes replaced Senny Mayulu, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Gonçalo Ramos, and Lucas Hernandez. This injection of fresh legs aimed to revitalize PSG’s attack and wrest control of the game.
Later, in the 34th minute of the second half, Lee Kang-in was brought on for Désiré Doué as PSG sought to salvage the match. Lee immediately showcased his energy and creativity, actively participating in wing penetrations and contributing to set-piece situations. However, PSG’s efforts were repeatedly thwarted by Botafogo’s steadfast defense and goalkeeper John Victor’s composed performances.
PSG momentarily thought they had equalized in the 35th minute of the second half when Barcola’s shot hit the back of the net. Unfortunately for PSG, the goal was disallowed due to an offside call on Kvaratskhelia in the buildup play. Subsequent set-piece attempts, including a free kick from Kvaratskhelia that sailed over the crossbar and a long-range shot from Vitinha that also missed the target, failed to break Botafogo’s resolve. Vitinha’s final chance in the 45th minute was similarly unsuccessful, and the match ended 1-0 in favor of Botafogo.
Botafogo’s victory was historic and symbolic. The club, which captured its first-ever CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores title in 2024, has rapidly risen in prominence. After winning Brazil’s Serie B in 2021, they secured promotion to Serie A and then clinched the Brazilian top-flight title in 2024, completing a domestic double. Their back-to-back wins in the Club World Cup group stage—including a 2-1 victory over Seattle Sounders and this upset over PSG—secured their place atop Group B and guaranteed progression to the knockout stage.
Defensively, Botafogo’s Alexander Barboza and Jair Cunha effectively neutralized PSG’s attacking threats, while goalkeeper John Victor delivered a series of crucial saves. Igor Jesus’s match-winning goal and overall impact earned him the Man of the Match award for the second consecutive game, underscoring his vital role in Botafogo’s success.
For PSG, the defeat is a sobering setback. Their 1-1 record in the group leaves them second in Group B, narrowly ahead of Atlético Madrid on goal difference but trailing Botafogo by three points. The European champions must now win their final group match against already-eliminated Seattle Sounders on June 24 at Lumen Field in Washington to secure a spot in the Round of 16. The loss also casts a shadow over PSG’s ambitions to cement themselves as the world’s best club following their treble-winning 2024-2025 season.
South Korean international Lee Kang-in, despite his lively second-half performance and previous penalty goal against Atlético Madrid, could not alter the outcome. His late shot was blocked, and PSG’s offensive pressure ultimately proved insufficient against a well-prepared Botafogo side.
This encounter serves as a potent reminder that in football, dominance in statistics does not always translate into victory. Botafogo’s disciplined defense, tactical acumen, and clinical finishing disrupted PSG’s rhythm and delivered one of the tournament’s biggest surprises. As the Club World Cup progresses, PSG faces mounting pressure to regroup and respond in their upcoming must-win fixture.
