Botafogo Shock PSG 1-0 at Club World Cup

Botafogo's Igor Jesus gestures as he leaves the field after winning during the Club World Cup group B soccer match between PSG and Botafogo in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Botafogo's Igor Jesus gestures as he leaves the field after winning during the Club World Cup group B soccer match between PSG and Botafogo in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Botafogo Shock PSG 1-0 at Club World Cup

Botafogo's Igor Jesus gestures as he leaves the field after winning during the Club World Cup group B soccer match between PSG and Botafogo in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Botafogo's Igor Jesus gestures as he leaves the field after winning during the Club World Cup group B soccer match between PSG and Botafogo in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Brazil's Botafogo withstood waves of attacks from Paris St Germain to stun the European champions 1-0 on Thursday and throw Group B at the Club World Cup wide open.

PSG dominated possession at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena but Botafogo's resolute defense stood tall in the first competitive meeting between the two clubs, Reuters reported.

The goal came in the 36th minute when Botafogo gained possession in midfield and Jefferson Savarino slid a pass through for Igor Jesus to run in on goal.

Jesus outmaneuvered two defenders and his shot deflected off the leg of PSG's Willian Pacho, the ball changing direction and leaving goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma flatfooted and only able to watch as the ball skipped into the net.

Jesus celebrated by hopping over the barrier and was mobbed by delirious Botafogo fans.

PSG continued to be the aggressors in the second half as Botafogo were content to protect their lead and try to capitalize on the break.

PSG, who had scored 19 goals in their last five matches, had the ball in the net in the 79th minute but the goal was chalked off for offside and Botafogo held for the shock win.

The Brazilians became the first team to stop PSG scoring since March when Liverpool defeated them 1-0 in the Champions League. The French side had scored in 19 consecutive games until losing on Thursday.

Botafogo coach Renato Paiva said his team had beaten PSG at their own game.

"Being a great team, playing together, all the guys defending, all the guys attacking, and that's the big secret of this PSG team, that's why they compete and win," he said.

"They are a fantastic team. I said this, PSG are a lesson to everybody nowadays in football. And I told my guys, just be a team, enjoy playing together, attack together, defend together, and enjoy. And they did they did it. Fantastic."

PSG were once again without Ousmane Dembele, who suffered an injury while playing for France in the UEFA Nations League earlier this month.

The victory gives the South American champions a huge boost in their hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds after they beat MLS side Seattle Sounders 2-1 in their opener.

PSG, who thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-0 in their first match, will look to bounce back against the Sounders on Monday while Botafogo are back at the Rose Bowl again to take on Atletico the same day.

Brazil's four teams at the 32-club tournament are unbeaten so far and Paiva said it showed the strength of the game in the South American nation.

"I think it's the quality of Brazilian players, the quality of what people are doing in Brazil, especially the coaches," he said.

"Brazil will always be Brazil in world football."



Salah Among Nominees for PFA Player of the Year Award 

Liverpool's Egyptian star Mohamed Salah. (AFP)
Liverpool's Egyptian star Mohamed Salah. (AFP)
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Salah Among Nominees for PFA Player of the Year Award 

Liverpool's Egyptian star Mohamed Salah. (AFP)
Liverpool's Egyptian star Mohamed Salah. (AFP)

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah was among six players nominated for the Professional Footballers' Association Men's Player of the Year award on Friday.

The 33-year-old played a key role in Liverpool's Premier League title triumph last season with 29 goals and 18 assists.

The Egypt star was voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association, securing almost 90 percent of the votes, marking the biggest winning margin this century, and is the firm favorite to land the PFA prize.

Salah is joined on the shortlist by Liverpool team-mate Alexis Mac Allister, Arsenal's Declan Rice, Cole Palmer of Chelsea, Newcastle striker Alexander Isak and Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes.

Palmer, who won the PFA Young Player of the Year award for 2023-24, was a surprise choice for the list given his struggles for Chelsea last season.

Rice starred in midfield for Arsenal, hitting a career-high nine goals while adding 10 assists in 52 appearances in all competitions.

Sweden striker Isak scored 23 goals for Newcastle as they qualified for the Champions League and ended a 56-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup.

Fernandes was one of United's few bright spots in the club's worst top-flight campaign since 1973-74, with eight league goals and 10 assists.

This year's awards ceremony will be held in Manchester on August 19.