KLIK SAJA - A blockbuster all-Brazilian clash will decide the first quarter-finalist of this year’s FIFA Club World Cup, as Palmeiras take on Botafogo this Saturday in Philadelphia.
The Round of 16 fixture features two heavyweights from Brazil — São Paulo’s Palmeiras and Rio de Janeiro’s Botafogo — in a highly anticipated showdown.
Palmeiras secured top spot in Group A in dramatic fashion, scoring twice late in the game to snatch a 2-2 draw against Inter Miami on Monday and complete the group stage unbeaten.
After falling 2-0 behind to a brace from Luis Suárez, the Libertadores champions rallied with goals from Paulinho and Mauricio at Hard Rock Stadium.
Earlier, Abel Ferreira’s side played out a goalless draw with Porto before defeating Al Ahly 2-0. Their five-point tally edged out Inter Miami for first place on goal difference.
The Verdão, who earned qualification by winning the Copa Libertadores in both 2020 and 2021, are one of the standout South American sides pushing strongly into the knockout stages.
This weekend's encounter will mark just the second time in Club World Cup history that two Brazilian clubs face off — the first being the 2000 final, where Corinthians triumphed over Vasco da Gama on penalties.
With their domestic title snatched away by Botafogo last season, Brazil’s last two league champions now meet again — their first clash since a goalless draw on the opening day of the current Série A campaign, a game that featured 26 shots and plenty of drama.
In last year’s Libertadores run — their first-ever continental title — Botafogo eliminated Palmeiras in the Round of 16, scraping through with a narrow 4-3 aggregate win.
At this year’s global stage, Botafogo have turned even more heads than their domestic rivals, especially after their stunning victory over European giants Paris Saint-Germain.
That landmark win was the first for a CONMEBOL club over UEFA opposition at the Club World Cup since Corinthians beat Chelsea in the 2012 final.
Having also beaten the Seattle Sounders, Botafogo amassed six points from their first two games, allowing them to absorb a narrow 1-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid and still top Group B on goal difference.
Now, Renato Paiva’s men face a familiar foe with a ticket to the quarter-finals at stake.
The winner will go on to face either Benfica or Chelsea at Lincoln Financial Field — both clubs eager to extend their stay in Philadelphia.
