Group B Turned on Its Head
The battle for a spot in the Round of 16 at the Club World Cup has become intensely competitive. Botafogo’s 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain has shaken up Group B, putting the Brazilian side in the lead. Despite a commanding 4-0 win over Atlético de Madrid, PSG now trails Botafogo in the standings. Atlético, meanwhile, secured its only win with a 3-1 victory over Seattle Sounders.
Do-or-Die Matchup Looms
The final group match between Atlético de Madrid and Botafogo will be decisive. Diego Simeone’s side faces a tough challenge: with a goal difference of -2, they must defeat the Brazilians by at least three goals to edge them out and advance. Botafogo, having won both matches by narrow margins, currently holds a +2 goal differential.
For Atlético to qualify — assuming PSG defeats Seattle as expected — they would need to win by three or more goals. This scenario would flip the standings: Botafogo would drop to a -1 goal difference, while Atlético would rise to +1, securing their place in the next round.
PSG Still Under Pressure
Luis Enrique’s PSG also has no margin for error. Despite having three points and a healthy +3 goal difference, a draw against Seattle won’t be enough if Atlético wins. A win is a must for the French giants to avoid elimination.
As for Botafogo, a draw against Atlético would be sufficient to reach the knockouts. In a highly unlikely twist, even Seattle Sounders could qualify — but only if they pull off a massive upset against PSG and Atlético loses their final match. All will be decided on June 23.
Atlético in Trouble: Botafogo Stands in the Way
Atlético’s Club World Cup campaign in the U.S. could be cut short. Their opening defeat to PSG (4-0), followed by Botafogo’s surprising win over the Parisians, leaves Simeone’s squad in a precarious position. They must now deliver a high-margin victory against Botafogo — or face an early exit.
A Tall Order Against a Resilient Botafogo
Atlético will need to win by three or more goals to survive, but that’s easier said than done. Botafogo, also known as “El Glorioso,” has only lost by that margin in three of their last 200 matches across all competitions. Their most recent heavy defeat came on December 11, 2024, when they fell 3-0 to Mexico’s Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup.
Other rare blowouts include a 3-0 loss to Cruzeiro in July 2024 and another 3-0 defeat to Paranaense in November 2022 — a match that featured a goal from Vitor Roque, the former Barcelona talent. These examples offer a glimmer of hope for Atlético, but the challenge remains monumental.
Squad Reinforcements Needed
Atlético’s struggles reflect deeper issues. The club entered the tournament with concerns and failed to capitalize on the special transfer window opened for the competition. Despite widespread speculation, only Clément Lenglet was added to the squad.
With the knockout stage in jeopardy, Atlético’s management is now under pressure to act. Sporting director Carlos Bucero faces a critical few weeks, as the club prepares to reinforce its squad. The plan is to bring in four to five new players, focusing on strengthening the defense and midfield.
Looking Ahead
With everything on the line, Atlético’s final group stage match will determine whether their journey in the Club World Cup continues or ends abruptly. Victory is not enough — it must be dominant. The road to redemption is narrow, but still open.
