Fresh off a stunning 4-0 win over Atlético Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain returns to the pitch for their second Club World Cup Group B clash, this time against Brazilian side Botafogo. With momentum on their side, the French giants are hoping to secure back-to-back wins and book an early ticket to the knockout stage.
PSG Riding High After Dominant Opener
Having finally lifted their first UEFA Champions League title and completed a historic treble, PSG continues to look unstoppable. In their opening match, they crushed Spanish powerhouse Atlético Madrid in a commanding 4-0 performance, sending a strong signal to the rest of the tournament that they’re here to dominate.
Remarkably, the Atlético thrashing marked the third time in their last five matches that PSG has scored four or more goals, a testament to the team’s fierce attacking form.
Botafogo’s Narrow Win Reveals Gaps
Botafogo, meanwhile, managed a narrow 2-1 win over MLS side Seattle Sounders in their first game. While the result earned them three points, it also exposed defensive frailties. The Brazilian side committed 18 fouls in that match, struggling to contain Seattle’s attacks and looking far from comfortable.
Despite a decent run of five wins in their last six matches, including two big-margin victories, Botafogo faces a significant test against the red-hot PSG squad.
Lineups and Key Absences
PSG will again be without injured winger Ousmane Dembélé, but coach Luis Enrique is expected to make some rotations. Rising stars such as Senny Mayulu, Lee Kang-in, Warren Zaïre-Emery, and Lucas Hernandez are in contention for starting roles. They’ll be joined by familiar names like Kvaratskhelia, Vitinha, Achraf Hakimi, and Marquinhos.
Even with slight rotation, PSG’s squad depth remains overwhelming for most opponents.
Atlético in Must-Win Mode Against Seattle
Atlético Madrid, still reeling from their heavy loss to PSG, has no margin for error in their next match against the Seattle Sounders. Coach Diego Simeone must lead his team to back-to-back wins to keep their hopes of progressing alive.
With defender Clément Lenglet suspended after receiving a red card, José María Giménez is expected to start in central defence, with Mandava stepping in at left back. Core midfielders Koke, Marcos Llorente, and Rodrigo De Paul will likely support attackers like Antoine Griezmann and Giuliano Simeone in a high-stakes matchup.
Seattle, though beaten in their opener, showed promise, primarily through midfielder Cristian Roldan. But unless he gets more support, it may be tough for the MLS side to challenge Atlético’s experienced lineup.
Messi and Inter Miami Seek First Win
Over in Group A, Inter Miami faces Portuguese giants Porto, while Brazil’s Palmeiras takes on Egypt’s Al Ahly. Both opening matches in the group ended in goalless draws, setting up a crucial second round.
Inter Miami, led by coach Javier Mascherano, is still adjusting to its high-profile frontline featuring Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. While the attack has star power, the defence remains a concern, particularly with Jordi Alba out injured. Noah Allen is expected to continue at left back, with Sergio Busquets anchoring the midfield.
Porto, on the other hand, has struggled with consistency. First-choice goalkeeper Diogo Costa was injured in their opener, but backup Claudio Ramos stepped up with several key saves. He’s likely to start again against Miami.
As PSG aims to maintain their momentum, Atlético fights for survival, and Messi searches for his first win with Inter Miami, the Club World Cup group stage is heating up. With so much at stake in the second round, fans can expect another thrilling round of high-intensity football.
