Botafogo Edges Seattle Sounders in Club World Cup

Botafogo defeated the Seattle Sounders 2-1 in their opening match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Lumen Field, with Jair Cunha and Igor Jesus scoring first-half headers after a contentious yellow card against Sounders' Nouhou Tolo. Cristian Roldan scored for Seattle in the 75th minute, but despite dominating possession and shots, the Sounders could not overcome the deficit as Botafogo goalkeeper John made a crucial last-minute save. Both teams now face challenging Group B opponents in Atlético Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, with Botafogo sitting second in the group on goal difference. The match featured strong fan support for Seattle and highlighted the team's resilience, but defensive lapses in the first half proved costly. Botafogo's coach Renato Paiva noted his team's struggle to keep possession in the second half, while Seattle's Brian Schmetzer expressed pride in his players. The tournament continues at multiple venues across the United States.