June 16, 2025 | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia –
Brazilian side Botafogo kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Seattle Sounders of the United States on Sunday evening.
The South American debutants opened scoring in the 17th minute through a well-placed strike by forward Tiquinho Soares, sending their travelling fans into wild celebration. Seattle responded with sustained pressure and were rewarded in the 55th minute when Jordan Morris headed home a corner to level the game.
However, Botafogo regained control late in the second half. Midfielder Eduardo sealed the win in the 79th minute with a long-range effort that deflected past the Sounders’ goalkeeper.
The win places Botafogo in strong contention for a quarter-final spot as they prepare to face their next opponents later this week. Meanwhile, the loss puts pressure on Seattle Sounders, who now face a must-win match to stay in the tournament.
This year’s Club World Cup features 32 teams for the first time, marking a historic expansion of the tournament being hosted across multiple cities in Saudi Arabia.
