Seattle Sounders drop Club World Cup opener to Botafogo

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·16. Juni 2025

Seattle Sounders drop Club World Cup opener to Botafogo

By MLSsoccer staff

Seattle Sounders FC fell just short of an incredible comeback in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday evening, instead taking a 2-1 defeat to Botafogo in their Group B opener at Lumen Field.

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The reigning Brasileiro Série A and Copa Libertadores champions staked a two-goal lead by halftime. Jair Cunha powerfully nodded home in the 28th minute, and Igor Jesus' header doubled his team's advantage in the 44th minute.

Yet Seattle showed renewed energy after the break and found their breakthrough in the 75th minute when midfielder Cristian Roldan reacted quickest to a recycled set piece, sending a deflected header past Botafogo goalkeeper John.

The Sounders ultimately outshot Botafogo 23-12, but were left ruing missed opportunities to grab a crucial point ahead of welcoming Spanish juggernauts Atlético Madrid on Thursday.

Goals

28' - BOT - Jair Cunha | WATCH
44' - BOT - Igor Jesus | WATCH
75' - SEA - Cristian Roldan | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: There aren't moral victories at the Club World Cup, though head coach Brian Schmetzer has every reason to feel proud about his team's second-half response. What had the makings of a lopsided defeat turned into a strong performance Seattle will hope to build on against two of Europe's strongest squads. The Sounders, who qualified as winners of the 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup, still must face Atlético Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in Group B.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH: When Cristian Roldan headed home Paul Rothrock's cross, belief surged throughout the Sounders-heavy home crowd.

GAME ON! Paul Rothrock finds Cristian Roldan 💥 #TakeItToTheWorld | #FIFACWC
– Montag, 16. Juni 2025

MAN OF THE MATCH: Botafogo striker Igor Jesus scored the game-winner and showed why he's linked to English Premier League side Nottingham Forest.

All angles of Igor Jesus’s goal ⚽ WATCH @Botafogo - @SoundersFC in the @FIFACWC now | June 14 - July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #BOTSEA
– Montag, 16. Juni 2025

Next Up

BOT: Thursday, June 19 vs. Paris Saint-Germain | 9 pm ET (DAZN.com) | FIFA Club World Cup
SEA: Thursday, June 19 vs. Atlético Madrid | 6 pm ET (DAZN.com) | FIFA Club World Cup