Club WC: Palmeiras prevail against Botafogo to enter QF (Image Source: IANS)
FIFA Club World Cup: A solo goal from substitute Paulinho snatched Palmeiras a hard-fought 1-0 win over Botafogo and a FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarterfinal place.
Palmeiras bossed the first half, but they failed to create any meaningful opportunities. Estevao began to penetrate the Botafogo backline after the restart, and he forced John into a fine save.
The 18-year-old was surprisingly withdrawn less than 20 minutes into the period, but it failed to halt the Verdão’s supremacy, with Mauricio’s header producing an excellent tip-over from John.