Brazil’s Botafogo secured their place in the last 16 of the Club World Cup on Monday, despite falling to a 1-0 defeat against Atletico Madrid, whose win ultimately proved meaningless as they were eliminated on goal difference.
Atletico, hammered 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in their opening Group B fixture, entered their final match needing a comprehensive victory to stand any chance of progressing.
However, even with Paris Saint-Germain defeating Seattle Sounders 2-0 in the group’s other fixture, Diego Simeone’s men fell short in the sweltering midday heat before a crowd of 22,992 at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl.
Antoine Griezmann netted the only goal of the contest in the 87th minute, firing home a cross from Julian Alvarez to give the Spaniards victory. But despite the late strike, Atletico finished third in the group, level on six points with Botafogo but behind the Brazilian side on goal difference.
Botafogo, who stunned European champions PSG 1-0 in their previous group game, claimed second place in the standings behind the French giants, who topped the group on goal difference.
Botafogo, champions of South America, started brightly and threatened early through Venezuelan international Jefferson Savarino, whose low effort was saved by Jan Oblak.
Atletico gradually took control of possession as the first half progressed. Julian Alvarez nearly broke the deadlock in the 41st minute, but his shot deflected off Botafogo defender Alexander Barboza and went behind for a corner.
Drama unfolded just before the interval when Alvarez appeared to be fouled inside the area, prompting a VAR review for a potential penalty. However, after reviewing the footage, officials spotted a foul on Barboza during the build-up, and the appeal was dismissed.
“None of the decisions seemed to go our way,” lamented Simeone, reflecting on the contentious moment.
In the second half, Atletico pressed forward relentlessly, pinning Botafogo back for long periods while the Brazilians sat deep, seemingly content to absorb the pressure and protect their superior goal difference.
Botafogo came close to opening the scoring in the 67th minute when Igor Jesus connected sweetly with a cross from Cuiabano, forcing Oblak into a sharp save to turn the volley away for a corner.
Eventually, Atletico found the breakthrough in the dying moments. Griezmann capitalised on a lapse in marking to steer home Alvarez’s inviting delivery, but it was not enough to keep Atletico’s tournament hopes alive.
