Igor Jesus’ thirty sixth minute purpose was sufficient for Botafago to defeat the Europeans champions PSG on the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) suffered a shock 1-0 Membership World Cup defeat in opposition to Brazilian facet Botafogo in a hard-fought battle between the reigning champions of Europe and South America.
A primary-half purpose from Brazilian worldwide Igor Jesus proved the distinction on Thursday as Botafogo all however sealed a spot within the knockout rounds in entrance of a 53,699 crowd on the Pasadena Rose Bowl.
French champions PSG are extensively thought to be one of many favourites for FIFA’s 32-team match after a stunning season which culminated with a scintillating 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan within the UEFA Champions League last final month.
However their hopes of securing a victory, which might have seen them develop into the primary facet to succeed in the final 16, had been stymied by a resilient efficiency from their opponents from Rio de Janeiro.
“Lots of people questioned, however we confirmed how robust Botafogo is,” purpose scorer Jesus mentioned after the win. “It was a troublesome sport, and we needed to defend effectively, and we did our job and scored a purpose.
“We’re actually joyful – we knew how necessary this sport was. One group was the champion of the Champions League, the opposite group was the champion of South America,” added Jesus, who had been strongly linked with a transfer to English Premier League facet Nottingham Forest earlier this yr earlier than opting to stick with the Brazilians to play within the Membership World Cup.
“I feel I made the proper selection to remain in Botafogo,” Jesus quipped.
Setback for PSG
PSG coach Luis Enrique mentioned his group had anticipated a troublesome battle.
“We knew it was going to be a really troublesome match – they defended very effectively,” the Spaniard mentioned.
“This Membership World Cup may be very intense and troublesome, and all of the groups are extremely motivated, particularly once they’re taking part in in opposition to us.”
The PSG supervisor, although, was adamant that the European champions nonetheless had loads of time to resurrect their marketing campaign.
“If there’s a group that may flip it round, it’s our group,” he mentioned. “We’ve acquired to analyse this and there’s issues we are able to enhance. However I feel our efficiency was good.”
PSG picked up the place they’d left off in Sunday’s 4-0 Group B rout of Atletico Madrid, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia testing Botafogo goalkeeper John with an early curling effort after simply two minutes.
However that early effort was as shut as PSG got here to scoring in a scrappy first half punctuated by a collection of niggling fouls that prevented the European champions from settling into their passing sport.
Botafogo’s midfield trio of Marlon Freitas, Gregore and Allan labored tirelessly to shut down Vitinha, denying the skilful PSG playmaker time and house to launch assaults regardless of dominating possession.
As an alternative, it was Botafogo who took the lead with a purpose in opposition to the run of play on 36 minutes.
Jefferson Savarino’s completely weighted by way of ball cut up the PSG defence and despatched Jesus racing by way of on purpose.
The Botafogo striker did brilliantly to wrongfoot the overlaying Willian Pacho earlier than sweeping a shot that took a slight deflection previous PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma on its method into the online.
PSG continued to dominate possession by way of the second half, and spent lengthy intervals camped within the last third.
However Botafogo’s defence held agency and the consequence leaves the Brazilians firmly on the right track for the final 16, with a last group sport in opposition to Atletico Madrid to return in Pasadena on Monday.
