Everything wrong about Brazilian football

Botafogo caused a surprise when they defeated Paris Saint-Germain.

At the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, the biggest shock of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup™ so far came when Botafogo - the 2024 Copa Libertadores champions - defeated Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the reigning Champions League champions, 1-0.

Big shock

The victory marked a historic milestone for Brazilian football, and was a stark reminder that Brazilian clubs, often underestimated when competing against European rivals, possess a hidden strength that needs to be re-evaluated.

Speaking after the win over PSG, Botafogo captain Marlon Freitas said: “For many people, Botafogo had only a 1% chance of winning this match. But for us, 1% is a lot. It was the same in the Copa Libertadores, it was the same in the Brasileirão (Brazilian national championship) with the last three rounds of last season, and we did it. Nothing is impossible for Botafogo.”

The 1-0 win over PSG, with Igor Jesus scoring the only goal in the 36th minute from a quick counter-attack, marked the first time a Brazilian team had overcome the European champions in a competitive match since Corinthians beat Chelsea 1-0 at the 2012 Club World Cup.

It was a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Botafogo, who defied all odds to win the 2024 Copa Libertadores and now claim their place on the world stage. PSG, whose star-studded squad had just won the European Championship and crushed Atletico Madrid 4-0 in the previous round, were caught out by the Brazilians' tight defense and sharp counter-attacks.

Brazilian football has long been known for its outstanding individual talent, but its club teams are often underrated on the international stage due to a lack of financial investment compared to the European giants.

Botafogo is rated much lower than PSG.

The power of Brazilian clubs

However, Botafogo's win over PSG is a warning that the Brasileirão and regional competitions like the Copa Libertadores are producing teams capable of competing on equal terms.

Previously, teams such as Palmeiras, Flamengo, and Fluminense showed their potential with impressive performances in the first matches. Also on the morning of June 20, Palmeiras beat Al Ahly 2-0 to almost put one foot in the round of 16.

Flamengo also won 2-0 earlier, while Fluminense held Dortmund to a 0-0 draw in a game where they outplayed the Bundesliga outfit. Botafogo's victory was symbolic and could usher in a new era for Brazilian football, confirming that the country's clubs can compete with the world's richest.

Expert Gary Neville commented on Sky Sports : “This is a wake-up call for European teams. South American football is still very formidable.” It should be remembered that in the past, São Paulo (2005) and Internacional (2006) were also crowned champions at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Brazilian club football is clearly regaining the respect it deserves. And if a samba club wins the FIFA Club World Cup this year, no one should be surprised.

Veteran Thiago Silva stopped Dortmund at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™. In the early morning of June 18, Fluminense held European giant Dortmund to a draw in the group stage of the Club World Cup.

Source: https://znews.vn/tat-ca-da-sai-ve-bong-da-brazil-post1562421.html