Paris Saint-Germain vs Botafogo | Club World Cup | Group Stage - Matchday 2 of 3 | Pre Match
Paris Saint-Germain vs Botafogo
At the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, the champions of Europe and South America collide in a marquee Group B showdown at the FIFA Club World Cup on Thursday, June 19, 2025, as Paris Saint-Germain face off against Botafogo. Both teams enter the clash buoyed by victories in their opening fixtures, with PSG delivering a ruthless 4-0 dismantling of Atletico Madrid and Botafogo scraping past Seattle Sounders 2-1. The encounter pits the free-scoring, treble-winning Parisians, fresh off their UEFA Champions League triumph, against a resilient Botafogo side riding the momentum of their 2024 Copa Libertadores success. For PSG, a win could all but secure their place in the last 16, cementing their status as Group B favorites and tournament frontrunners, while Botafogo face a daunting challenge to upset the odds and keep pace in a fiercely competitive group. Set against the backdrop of a historic first competitive meeting between a French club and non-European opposition, the match promises to be a captivating blend of tactical intrigue, individual brilliance, and global footballing ambition.
PSG’s scintillating form under Luis Enrique has elevated them to the pinnacle of European football, and their Club World Cup debut against Atletico Madrid was a masterclass in clinical efficiency and attacking flair. The Ligue 1 giants, who claimed the UEFA Champions League crown just a month prior, tore through Atletico’s defense with a 4-0 rout that underscored their credentials as tournament favorites. Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha struck in the first half, their midfield dynamism overwhelming Atletico’s usually resolute setup, while substitutes Senny Mayulu and Lee Kang-in added gloss to the scoreline in the latter stages. The victory, played out in the searing Los Angeles heat, was a statement of intent from Enrique’s side, who have now won their last three matches across all competitions by an aggregate score of 12-0, including triumphs in the Coupe de France and Champions League finals. PSG’s attacking arsenal, capable of producing goals from multiple sources, has been a hallmark of their dominance, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia emerging as a talismanic figure. The Georgian winger, who set up the first two goals against Atletico, has been directly involved in five strikes across his last three outings, his blend of pace, trickery, and vision making him a constant threat. With a peerless midfield trio of Ruiz, Vitinha, and Warren Zaïre-Emery dictating play, and captain Marquinhos anchoring a robust defense, PSG appear almost invincible, their hunger for more silverware undiminished by their recent successes. Thursday’s clash with Botafogo offers a chance to make history, as PSG become the first French club to face non-European opposition in a competitive fixture, a milestone that adds extra significance to an already pivotal encounter.
Botafogo, meanwhile, arrive in Pasadena as the pride of South American football, having clinched the 2024 Copa Libertadores with a 3-1 victory over Atletico Mineiro. The Rio-based club, one of four Brazilian teams in the expanded Club World Cup, have endured a rollercoaster campaign, with their Libertadores triumph followed by a humbling 3-0 loss to Pachuca in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. Under the guidance of manager Renato Paiva, Botafogo have rediscovered their form, winning four consecutive matches and nine of their last 12 across all competitions since late April. Their opening Club World Cup fixture against Seattle Sounders was a gritty 2-1 victory, with two first-half strikes proving just enough to secure three points despite a late fightback from the MLS side. The win placed Botafogo second in the early Group B standings, but their upcoming fixtures against PSG and Atletico Madrid represent a steep escalation in difficulty. The Alvinegro’s challenge is compounded by the loss of key players Luiz Henrique and Thiago Almada, as well as former head coach Artur Jorge, leaving Paiva to navigate a transitional period. Currently eighth in the 2025 Brasileiro standings, Botafogo are also bracing for the imminent departure of star striker Igor Jesus to Nottingham Forest, a blow that could undermine their attacking potency. Despite these setbacks, Paiva’s side have shown resilience, with players like Jefferson Savarino, who led the team with eight league goals last season, and Igor Jesus, whose aerial prowess has yielded three headed goals in recent matches, stepping up to keep Botafogo competitive. The clash with PSG, however, will test their mettle against a side operating at a level few teams can match.
PSG’s squad depth and versatility give Enrique a wealth of options as he prepares for Botafogo’s challenge. The return of France forward Bradley Barcola, who has overcome a minor knee issue, bolsters PSG’s attacking ranks, setting up a selection battle with Désiré Doué for a place in the starting XI. Ousmane Dembélé, a Ballon d’Or contender, remains a doubt as he continues individual training to recover from a muscular injury, making a start unlikely. Instead, Gonçalo Ramos and Kvaratskhelia are poised to occupy two of the attacking berths, with Ramos’s clinical finishing complementing Kvaratskhelia’s playmaking. In midfield, the trio of Ruiz, Vitinha, and Zaïre-Emery is expected to start, their blend of creativity, work rate, and defensive nous providing the platform for PSG’s attacking stars to shine. At the back, Marquinhos, PSG’s record appearance maker, will relish the opportunity to face Brazilian opposition for the first time in a competitive match since his Corinthians days 13 years ago. The captain’s leadership will be crucial in organizing a defense that has yet to concede in their last three outings, with Gianluigi Donnarumma’s commanding presence in goal adding further assurance. Enrique’s tactical approach, characterized by high pressing and rapid transitions, is likely to target Botafogo’s midfield, where Paiva’s side have occasionally struggled against elite opposition. A victory would not only strengthen PSG’s grip on Group B but also send a message to their rivals that their quest for global dominance is unrelenting.
Botafogo, aware of the monumental task ahead, may adopt a more cautious setup than in their Seattle clash, with Paiva potentially sacrificing attacking ambition for defensive solidity. Uruguayan striker Gonzalo Mastriani, who started against Seattle, could be dropped to accommodate a deeper midfield, allowing Paiva to counter PSG’s relentless pressing. Left-winger Cuiabano, expected to recover from a back issue, is likely to feature, bringing energy and width to Botafogo’s left flank. New signings Arthur Cabral and Joaquin Correa, acquired just before the tournament, offer additional options, though Correa’s fitness concerns make a substitute role more probable. Injuries to Matheus Martins and former Lyon winger Jeffinho further limit Paiva’s choices, placing greater responsibility on Igor Jesus and Savarino to lead the line. Jesus, whose aerial threat has been a key weapon, will aim to exploit any lapses in PSG’s high defensive line, while Savarino’s flair and goal-scoring instinct could stretch PSG’s full-backs. Paiva’s game plan will likely focus on absorbing pressure and hitting PSG on the counter, a strategy that worked against Seattle but will require near-perfect execution against a side of PSG’s caliber. The Brazilian side’s recent form suggests they are capable of rising to the occasion, but overcoming PSG’s star-studded lineup and tactical sophistication will demand a Herculean effort.
The Rose Bowl, with its storied history and capacity for over 90,000 fans, provides a fitting stage for this clash of continental titans. For PSG, the match is a chance to build on their opening statement and edge closer to the knockout rounds, where their experience and firepower make them formidable contenders. For Botafogo, it’s an opportunity to defy expectations and prove their Libertadores triumph was no fluke, even as they navigate a transitional phase. The contrast in styles—PSG’s possession-based, attacking juggernaut versus Botafogo’s pragmatic, counter-attacking approach—adds intrigue, with the outcome likely hinging on Botafogo’s ability to withstand PSG’s early onslaught and capitalize on rare opportunities. The historical significance of the fixture, as PSG break new ground for French clubs, further elevates its stakes, while the global audience tuning in underscores the Club World Cup’s growing prestige. As both teams vie for supremacy in Group B, the Pasadena showdown promises to deliver drama, quality, and a glimpse of the relentless ambition driving these two footballing giants.
