AFP
TELL ME MORE
Botafogo opened their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders on Sunday evening at Lumen Field. The Brazilian side capitalized on two first-half defensive errors, and while the Sounders mounted a late push, they couldn’t avoid a disappointing home loss.
It's a big result for the Brazilian side, who had to withstand a late rally from the home side.
"First half was okay, but the second half we didn't cope with the intensity of the opponent," Botafogo manager Renato Paiva told DAZN after the match. "It was not a very good game for us, but the first game in these competitions is always difficult because of the anxiety and all of that. Three points, we won… It's most important."
Left back Nouhou Tolo committed a needless foul 28 minutes into the match, and off the ensuing free kick, Botafogo scored the opener. A phenomenal ball from former international Alex Telles was delivered in the box, and 20-year-old Jair Filho smashed home to give them a 1-0 lead. Then, on the brink of halftime, current Brazil international Igor Jesus doubled their lead, scoring the eventual winner. The 24-year-old striker smashed home another header for the Brazilian side, but Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei appeared to be caught off-guard, as he was flat-footed as he dove towards what appeared to be a saveable attempt.
After a poor first-half showing, the MLS side looked reinvigorated in the second half, having most of the momentum throughout the final 45 minutes – but their early deficit was too much to overcome. Midfielder Cristian Roldan, who was a member of the 2022 FIFA World Cup squad with the USMNT, did earn them a goal back in the 76th minute – but nothing else arrived, despite numerous chances.
"Yeah, obviously exciting to be the first to score in a Club World Cup in our stadium. I mean, what an unbelievable experience.." Roldan said, reflecting on his goal. "We felt like we deserved more. We shot ourselves in the foot, letting two goals in in the first half, and an incredible performance, I think, from our team. We showed a lot of resilience."
Botafogo sit second in Group B at the end of the day, trailing Ligue 1 side PSG in first, while the Sounders sit third above Atletico Madrid – though both are on zero points, and Seattle's spot ahead is due to criteria points. Roldan hopes his team will show improvement when it hosts Atleti on Thursday.
"Intensity was there [against Botafogo]," he said. "The intensity was great. Mentality was great. Once we're down 2-0, we have nothing to lose, right? I hope to see that in our next game."