Antoine Griezmann finally broke through in the 87th minute, but it was a case of “too little, too late” for Atletico Madrid as they beat Botafogo 1-0 in Pasadena, yet still crashed out of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Case of “too little, too late” for Atletico Madrid
The Frenchman’s left-footed strike, after an Angel Correa shot ricocheted off a defender, gave Atletico the three points on the night but not enough to leapfrog into the knockout rounds. Diego Simeone’s side needed to win by three goals. They managed just one.
Paris Saint-Germain beat Seattle Sounders 2-0
Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain beat Seattle Sounders 2-0, and with Botafogo having already stunned PSG earlier this week, it’s the Brazilians and Parisians who go through from Group B. Atletico? Back to Madrid packing bags and asking “what if?”
It could’ve been a different story. In the 10th minute, Botafogo nearly went ahead after Jefferson Savarino broke free. But Jan Oblak did Jan Oblak things, stretching out and saving the day like it was just another Tuesday.
Julian Alvarez, playing with the energy of a caffeinated wasp, almost gave Atletico the lead before halftime. He spun on a dime and fired just wide. You could feel the urgency building and the missed chances piling up.
Griezmann was everywhere in the second half
Griezmann was everywhere in the second half, cutting in, twisting defenders, and even hitting the post with a near-post rocket. It felt like the goal was coming and eventually, it did. Just too late to matter.
Botafogo weren’t just sitting back though. In the 67th minute, Cuiabano whipped in a lovely cross for Igor Jesus, who met it with venom, only for Oblak to once again channel his inner octopus and parry it away.
Atletico couldn’t get the extra goals they so desperately needed
Despite dominating the shot count (23-7 overall, 5-3 on target), Atletico couldn’t get the extra goals they so desperately needed. Oblak finished with three saves, and Botafogo keeper John kept his team alive with four of his own.
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So, Griezmann scores. Atletico win. But the Club World Cup story ends here. Cruel game, football. Sometimes even when you win, you still lose. Also Read- FIFA Faces Political Crisis Over Iran Vs USA World Cup 2026 Draw
