Paris Saint-Germain suffered a shock 1-0 Membership World Cup defeat in opposition to Brazilian aspect Botafogo on Thursday in a hardfought battle between the reigning champions of Europe and South America.
A primary-half objective from Brazilian worldwide Igor Jesus proved the distinction as Botafogo all however sealed a spot within the knockout rounds on the Pasadena Rose Bowl.
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French champions PSG are extensively considered 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 Champions League last final month.
However their hopes of securing a victory which might have seen them develop into the primary aspect to succeed in the final 16 have been stymied by a resilient efficiency from their opponents from Rio de Janeiro.
Paris Saint-Germain picked up the place that they had 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 recreation.
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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 a substitute it was Botafogo who took the lead with a objective in opposition to the run of play on 36 minutes.
Jefferson Savarino’s completely weighted via ball cut up the PSG defence and despatched Jesus racing via on objective.
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 manner into the online.
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PSG continued to dominate possession via the second half, and spent lengthy intervals camped within the last third.
However Botafogo’s defence held agency and the end result leaves the Brazilians firmly heading in the right direction for the final 16, with a last group recreation in opposition to Atletico Madrid to return in Pasadena on Monday.
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