Palmeiras beat Botafogo to advance to the World Cup quarters | OneFootball

Palmeiras are the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup!In the Brazilian clash against Botafogo, the green and white team were superior, created more, posed more threats, but needed extra time to win 1-0, with a stunning goal from an inspired Paulinho. It was a victory that tasted of revenge, as the team from Rio had eliminated Palmeiras in the last knockout match between them at the 2024 Libertadores.

The Verdão opponent's in the quarter-finals will be decided later this Saturday in the match between Benfica and Chelsea. The clash for a spot in the semi-finals is scheduled for next Friday (4th), at 22:00, once again in Philadelphia.

Green dominance, but few chances

In the first half of the match, Botafogo adopted a more reactive stance, similar to their recent performances in the championship. Palmeiras was better and in control, but they struggled to create many opportunities, summarizing this initial control to a good chance by Vitor Roque at the ninth minute, when the forward failed to finish, allowing the defense to clear.

After the hydration break, the alvinegro improved and finally managed to pose a threat. At 42 minutes, Marlon Freitas broke away with the ball, beat the marking and shot across, but the shot was not as he wished, going wide of the goal. However, it was the first time the Fogão fans saw a more interesting play from their team.

Subsequently, in the added time, Palmeiras responded with Richard Ríos with a finish that made many think the score had finally been opened, but John deflected it out of bounds.

Chances appear, goals do not

If the first half was about two teams lacking accuracy, in the first five minutes of the second half we saw three balls hit the target. Palmeiras attacked first with Estêvão trying from outside the area and John saving. Next, Artur responded for Botafogo, stopped by Weverton. At five minutes, Estêvão even managed to score after catching John's rebound, but the play was called offside at the start.

At 18 minutes, changes began. Abel Ferreira brought on Paulinho and Luighi in place of Vitor Roque and Estêvão, who left the field quite upset, clearly unhappy with the coach's decision in what could be his last game for the club. Subsequently, Renato Paiva took out Alex Telles and Allan to bring on Cuiabano and Montoro.

At 27, another great intervention by John to keep the score nil-nil. Piquerez crossed low, at the near post and Maurício twisted to head it. The Botafogo goalkeeper made an excellent save to deflect the ball out of bounds.

Paulinho shines!

Abel Ferreira had said that Paulinho was only physically fit to play for about 30 minutes, so the coach had to ask for an extra effort from the forward, and it paid off. After the first good chance of the extra time came from Richard Ríos' shot, the net would finally shake at the 10th minute, with a brilliant goal from the number 10, seemingly destined.

On the right side, Paulinho weaved through the defense and, inside the box, faked out Marlon Freitas before shooting low and placed. The ball even found a slight deflection off Barboza's foot along the way and there was no stopping it this time. Palmeiras 1, Botafogo 0 and, as soon as the ball was back in play, the scorer left for Micael to come on.

Botafogo then pushed forward to try for the equalizer. Vitinho had the best chance at the 15th minute of the second half of extra time and then Gustavo Gómez was sent off after tangling with Alexander Barboza and receiving his second yellow card.

The game took on epic proportions, but Palmeiras managed to hold on and secured the spot.