Palmeiras edged fellow Brazilian side Botafogo 1-0 after extra time in a tense last-16 encounter at the Club World Cup on Saturday, with substitute Paulinho scoring the decisive goal to secure their progression.
The winger struck in the 100th minute after latching onto a pass from Richard Rios on the right. With time and space to manoeuvre, Paulinho cut inside and curled a low finish into the far corner, sparking wild celebrations among Palmeiras supporters in the Lincoln Financial Field crowd of over 33,000.
The goal proved a masterstroke from coach Abel Ferreira, who had introduced Paulinho in the second half in place of 18-year-old starlet Estevao Willian. This substitution raised eyebrows at the time. However, the decision paid off handsomely as Palmeiras, despite having captain Gustavo Gomez sent off in the closing stages, held firm to claim victory.
Palmeiras, Libertadores champions in 2020 and 2021, will now remain in Philadelphia to face either Benfica or Chelsea in next Friday’s quarter-final. The two European giants were set to clash later on Saturday in Charlotte.
Palmeiras were the more dominant side throughout, with most of the clear opportunities falling their way in the midday heat.
Botafogo, who clinched the Brazilian league title last season and lifted the Copa Libertadores for the first time in 2024, struggled to replicate their earlier tournament form, which had seen them defeat European champions Paris Saint-Germain en route to the knockouts.
Much of the pre-match focus had centred on Estevao Willian, the teenage sensation set to join Chelsea after the tournament. However, he found it difficult to impose himself on the match, aside from a promising spell early in the second half, when he forced a fine save from goalkeeper John Victor and had a goal disallowed for offside.
Both Estevao and striker Vitor Roque were withdrawn just after the hour mark, with Paulinho and Luighi coming on in their place. Though the decision drew murmurs of surprise, it proved to be inspired.
Palmeiras came closest to scoring before the breakthrough, with Mauricio’s header forcing a good save and Rios’s long-range effort testing the keeper again early in extra time. Then came the winning moment from Paulinho, who had previously featured in the Atletico Mineiro side beaten by Botafogo in last year’s Libertadores final.
Having scored the goal that sealed the win, Paulinho was later subbed off himself—his job well and truly done.
Botafogo pressed for an equaliser that would have sent the tie to penalties, but their hopes were further dented when Gustavo Gomez was shown a second yellow card in the 116th minute for off-the-ball grappling with Alexander Barboza.
Palmeiras held out to seal a deserved win and a place in the last eight.
