Match Info
| Date | Match | Kick-off (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 28, 2025 | Palmeiras vs Botafogo | 12:00 PM ET | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
Why This Match Matters
- Two Brazilian giants collide in the first knockout clash of the Club World Cup.
- Palmeiras topped Group A, showing solid control and structure.
- Botafogo shocked the world with a historic win over PSG in their group stage.
- It’s a clash of styles: Palmeiras’ tactical discipline vs Botafogo’s explosive counters.
Head-to-Head & Form
- Recent H2H: Botafogo unbeaten in last 5 meetings (3W, 2D)
- Palmeiras Form: Unbeaten in group stage – held Inter Miami & Porto, beat Al Ahly 2–0
- Botafogo Form: Beat PSG 2–1, Seattle 1–0, lost to Atlético Madrid 0–2
Tactical Insights
Palmeiras (4-2-3-1)
- Manager: Abel Ferreira
- Strengths: Tight defensive blocks, overlapping full-backs, and quick counters.
- Key Player: Estêvão – the teenage sensation already signed by Chelsea, a threat on the right wing.
- Watch For: Transitions and switching flanks quickly to exploit space.
Botafogo (4-2-3-1)
- Manager: Renato Paiva
- Strengths: Compact shape, clinical in transitions, high pressing at times.
- Key Player: Igor Jesus – goal vs PSG showed composure; can stretch Palmeiras’ backline.
- Watch For: Late midfield runs from Marlon Freitas and full-back overlaps.
Stats That Matter
- Palmeiras have conceded just 1 goal in 3 games.
- Botafogo created the most expected goals (xG) from counters in their group.
- Estêvão averages 3.4 successful dribbles per game.
Key Battles
- Estêvão vs Botafogo LB – Can the youngster handle pressure in a KO match?
- Igor Jesus vs Gustavo Gómez – Forward vs leader. A physical test.
- Midfield Pivot – Freitas and Allan vs Ríos and Gabriel Menino: who controls the tempo?
FAQs
Q: What time is the Palmeiras vs Botafogo match?
A: 12 PM ET on June 28, 2025
Q: Where is the match being played?
A: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, USA.
Q: Who are the key players to watch?
A: Estêvão (Palmeiras), Igor Jesus (Botafogo), Marlon Freitas (Botafogo).
Q: What’s at stake?
A: A place in the Club World Cup quarterfinals. Winner will face either Benfica or Chelsea.
Personal POV
There’s something special about two Brazilian teams battling it out far away from home. Palmeiras may be the favorite on paper, but Botafogo’s unpredictable fire could set this tie alight. As a fan, I can’t wait to see Estêvão take on the big stage and whether Igor Jesus can spoil the party. This one has drama written all over it.