Paulinho’s Extra-Time Stunner Sends Palmeiras to Club World Cup Quarter-Finals After Spicy All-Brazilian Showdown
It had drama. It had history. It had late goals, red cards, and one absolutely ice-cold finish. Palmeiras are the first team into the Club World Cup quarter-finals and they did it the hard way, edging out fierce domestic rivals Botafogo in a gritty, all-Brazilian slugfest.
Step up, Paulinho. Off the bench, coming back from injury, and still writing headlines like he never left. The former Bayer Leverkusen man curled in a beauty in the 100th minute to settle a game that, let’s be honest wasn’t exactly a footballing feast until that point.
Rivalry Renewed, Again
If there’s one thing Palmeiras and Botafogo don’t do, it’s play boring football against each other. This was another wild chapter in a rivalry that’s been brewing since Endrick’s jaw-dropping 3-0 comeback heroics back in 2023. Then came revenge for Botafogo in the 2024 Copa Libertadores. And now? Palmeiras take the Club World Cup round.
Tension? You bet. Cards? A full deck. In total, 11 players were booked including Palmeiras skipper Gustavo Gomez, who saw red late on to make the final moments pure stress for fans in green and white.
Paulinho: Super Sub, Super Finish
Let’s talk Paulinho. Still easing his way back from a nasty stress fracture in his tibia, but you wouldn’t know it. After rescuing a point against Inter Miami last time out, he stepped up again here with an extra-time winner that silenced Botafogo’s late push.
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Cutting in from the right, Paulinho whipped a low drive past goalkeeper John, who honestly had a solid game up to that point. But this was unstoppable. Cold, clinical, match-winning stuff.
Palmeiras are becoming the kings of Plan B, they’ve now scored four goals via substitutes at this tournament. No one else comes close.
Estevao Watch: Chelsea Fans, Pay Attention
Chelsea-bound wonderkid Estevao Willian didn’t get on the scoresheet, but he did keep Botafogo on their toes. A left-footed rocket early in the second half forced a strong save from John, and he had a goal ruled out for offside too.
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The 18-year-old was subbed off surprisingly early in the 64th minute but don’t worry, Chelsea fans. If your boys can get past Benfica in the last 16, there’s a showdown brewing between the Blues and Estevao’s current club in the quarters.
Oh, and by the way: Palmeiras haven’t conceded in three of their four games at this Club World Cup. Defensive discipline? Add in that they’ve kept things tight with 10 men at the end here, and you’ve got a side that knows how to suffer.
Key Stats from the Chaos:
Palmeiras: First team into the quarter-finals
Three clean sheets for Palmeiras in four Club World Cup games
Gustavo Gomez sent off in added time
Paulinho: Two goals in two games off the bench
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