Brazilian and South American champions Botafogo started their Club World Cup campaign on a winning note with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over MLS side Seattle Sounders on Sunday. The Group B opener at Lumen Field saw Botafogo take a commanding first-half lead through headers from Jair Cunha and Igor Jesus.
However, a deflected goal from Seattle’s Cristian Roldan in the second half made for a nervy finish, with Botafogo’s goalkeeper John making a critical late save to preserve the win.
Botafogo took control early in the match, putting Seattle’s defence under pressure and forcing goalkeeper Stefan Frei into a series of impressive saves. The breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Cunha headed in a free-kick delivered by Alex Telles after a foul near the box.
Just before halftime, Igor Jesus extended the lead with a powerful header from Vitinho’s cross, giving the visitors a 2-0 cushion at the break.
Seattle responded in the second half with renewed urgency, and although Ryan Kent squandered a close-range chance, the Sounders pulled one back in the 75th minute. Roldan’s header took a crucial deflection off Igor Jesus, wrongfooting Botafogo’s goalkeeper and finding the net.
Energised by the goal, Seattle pushed for an equaliser and dominated the closing stages, but John's brilliant reflex save in added time sealed the win for the Brazilian side.
After the match, Botafogo captain Marlon Freitas acknowledged that the performance was not up to standard, despite the result. “The important thing here was the result, the effort, but we know we didn’t play well,” he said.
Botafogo now sit second in Group B behind Paris Saint-Germain, who thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-0 earlier on Sunday. They next face PSG, while Seattle will try to bounce back against Atletico on Thursday.
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