Botafogo advance to last 16 despite losing to Atletico Madrid in Club World Cup

Brazil’s Botafogo secured a place in the Club World Cup last 16 despite falling 1-0 to Atletico Madrid in Pasadena on Monday, as the Spanish side was eliminated on goal difference in a tightly contested Group B finale.

With all three teams - PSG, Botafogo, and Atletico - level on six points after the group stage, it was goal difference that proved decisive.

Paris Saint-Germain topped the group thanks to a 2-0 win over Seattle Sounders, while Botafogo edged out Atletico for second place. Atletico, having lost 4-0 to PSG in their opener, were left to rue their earlier collapse.


Antoine Griezmann netted the lone goal at the Rose Bowl in the 87th minute, finishing off a well-placed Julian Alvarez cross with a crisp left-footed strike. The win gave Atletico some consolation but was not enough to rescue their Club World Cup campaign.


Botafogo, who stunned PSG in their second group game, started energetically and nearly struck early through Jefferson Savarino, whose effort was kept out by Jan Oblak.

Atletico, knowing they needed a comprehensive win to stay alive, gradually gained control of the match. Alvarez came close late in the first half, only to see his effort deflected for a corner.

Moments later, a potential turning point emerged when Alvarez appeared to be fouled in the box. A VAR check, however, identified an earlier foul on Botafogo defender Alexander Barboza, and the penalty appeal was denied.


The second half saw Botafogo sit deeper, absorbing sustained Atletico pressure. The Brazilian side nearly went ahead in the 67th minute when Igor Jesus volleyed goalward from a Cuiabano cross, but Oblak made a sharp save to keep the scores level.

Atletico finally found the breakthrough with just minutes remaining, but the late goal wasn’t enough to alter their fate. Despite finishing level on points with the top two, their inferior goal difference sealed their early exit.