Atletico Madrid Bow Out Despite Victory as Botafogo Advance in Club World Cup

Atletico Madrid Bow Out Despite Victory as Botafogo Advance in Club World Cup

Atletico Madrid Bow Out Despite Victory as Botafogo Advance in Club World Cup

Atletico Madrid may have won the match, but it wasn’t enough. In a dramatic and emotionally charged evening at the Rose Bowl, Diego Simeone’s men walked away with a 1-0 victory over Brazil’s Botafogo—but still saw their hopes of progressing in the FIFA Club World Cup dashed. Why? Because when it mattered most, goal difference told the story.

Atletico came into the game needing to win by at least three goals to advance past the group stage. The odds were steep, and the first half didn’t offer much hope. Botafogo sat deep, organized and resilient, making it incredibly difficult for Atletico to find a way through. Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, the Spanish side just couldn't convert.

The breakthrough didn’t come until the 87th minute, when substitute Antoine Griezmann fired home after a nice setup from Julian Alvarez. It was a beautiful goal—well-timed, clinical—but it felt more like consolation than celebration. The damage had already been done earlier in the group stage, and this late effort wasn’t going to save them.

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Julian Alvarez, who was lively all evening, thought he had earned a penalty just before half-time after being tripped in the box. But in a frustrating twist, VAR intervened. The referee ruled out the foul due to a prior push by Sorloth, awarding a free kick to Botafogo instead. It was just that kind of night for Atletico.

Credit where it’s due—Botafogo defended like warriors. Every player, from goalkeeper John to captain Marlon Freitas, put in a shift. They knew they didn’t need to win; they just had to avoid a blowout. And they did that masterfully. It’s not always pretty, but tournament football is about results. They got theirs.

The crowd, just under 23,000 strong, even had a special guest: Snoop Dogg. Yes, the rapper was seen in Botafogo colors, mingling with fans and soaking up the atmosphere. His support was loud and clear—and maybe, just maybe, it gave Botafogo the extra swagger they needed.

Atletico’s early exit is a bitter pill. Statistically, they dominated the game with 23 shots and an expected goals tally of 3.05. But as we’ve seen so often, football is about moments, not metrics. Simeone’s side created the chances, but lacked the ruthlessness.

Now, Botafogo advance to the last 16, where they’ll face the winners of Group A—likely Inter Miami or Palmeiras. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, return home with heads down and questions looming. For all their firepower, they just couldn’t break through when it counted most.

Sometimes in football, winning the battle still means losing the war.

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