Palmeiras Triumph over Botafogo to Book Place in World Cup Club Quarter Finals

Palmeiras have booked their spot in the Club World Cup quarter-finals after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brazilian rivals Botafogo on Saturday.

The winning goal came in extra time, courtesy of substitute Paulinho, who scored in the 100th minute to send the Palmeiras fans into raptures.

The match, played at Lincoln Financial Field in front of a crowd of 33,657, was a tightly contested affair, with both teams creating few clear-cut chances.

However, it was Palmeiras who ultimately emerged victorious, thanks to Paulinho’s decisive strike.

The winger, who came on as a substitute in the second half, collected a pass from Richard Rios on the right flank and was given the time and space to cut inside and slot a low shot into the far corner.

The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Palmeiras fans, who made up the majority of the crowd.

Palmeiras had been the more dominant team throughout the match, with Estevao Willian, the 18-year-old winger who will join Chelsea once the tournament is over, causing problems for the Botafogo defense.

However, it was not until Paulinho’s introduction that the team began to create more scoring opportunities.

The substitution of Estevao and striker Vitor Roque in the 61st minute was a surprise move by Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira, but it ultimately proved to be a masterstroke.

Paulinho’s goal was the culmination of a series of attacks by Palmeiras, who had been pushing for a winner throughout the second half.

Despite being reduced to 10 men in the 116th minute, when captain Gustavo Gomez was sent off for a second booking, Palmeiras held on to secure the win. Botafogo pushed for an equalizer, but were unable to find the back of the net, even with the man advantage.

The win sets up a quarter-final showdown for Palmeiras against either Benfica or Chelsea, who meet later on Saturday.

The Brazilian team will be looking to build on their victory and make a deep run in the tournament.

For Botafogo, the loss brings an end to their Club World Cup campaign. Despite a strong performance, the team was unable to overcome the loss of their coach and several key players, who departed after their Copa Libertadores win in 2024.

The match was a testament to the strength and resilience of Brazilian football, with both teams giving it their all in a fiercely contested encounter.

In the end, it was Palmeiras who emerged victorious, thanks to Paulinho’s extra-time winner.