Two goals in the first half were everything Botafogo needed to open their FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) campaign with a 2-1, win over a Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field in a 2nd group B fixture early today.
Nouhou Tolo pushed Artur, and the resulting free kick saw Telles set up Jair Cunha, who scored the first goal of his career with a thumping header from close range.
Seattle pushed the lines forward after the goal, but Botafogo would double their lead just before the half-time break when Vitinho’s cross was nodded home by Igor Jesus, giving the Copa Libertadores 2024 champions a two-goal lead by the interval.
In the 75th minute Cristian Roldan found the back of the net with a header that deflected off Igor Jesus and got past Johnart.
In an earlier contest in Group B, newly crowned European Champions PSG thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-0.
Group A witnessed a 2nd barren draw as Palmeiras and FC Porto’s match ended scoreless after Ahly and Inter Miami ended up with the same scoreline in the tournament opener.
In today’s matches Chelsea will face Los Angeles FC in Group D in the evening before Boca Juniors squares off against Benfica in Group C at 1am before paving the way for Flamengo against Esperance in Group D at 4am tomorrow.
