Botafogo: When dreams of reaching new heights are shattered by a familiar face

TPO - Botafogo's magical journey at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup ended in the most painful way. Not a fall against a powerful European power. Not a quick defeat because of the difference in class. It was a defeat from familiar neighbor Palmeiras.

Botafogo left the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in regret.

Tragedy from the neighbor

Just days after stunning the world with their victory over European champions PSG, Botafogo - a team that had the air of a great obstacle - were crushed by a name they knew better than anyone: their neighbours Palmeiras.

The Brazilian derby at Lincoln Financial Field this morning added another dramatic and emotional chapter to the fierce confrontation between the two leading football powers of the samba country.

In 2023, Palmeiras created an incredible comeback against Botafogo in the Brazilian National Championship. From a three-goal deficit, they won a spectacular 4-3 victory over Botafogo and won the championship.

A year later, Botafogo responded with a convincing double, dethroning Palmeiras to take the Brazilian championship crown, ending the “Verdao”’s two-year reign.

At the Copa Libertadores, Botafogo dramatically eliminated Palmeiras in the round of 16 with a total score of 4-3, setting the stage for the journey to the first South American championship in the club's history.

But this time in the United States, the victory belonged to the blue team from Sao Paulo. Palmeiras not only ended a 5-match winless streak against their opponents, but also put an end to Botafogo's magical adventure at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Botafogo stopped before familiar opponent Palmeiras.

The Price of Caution

Perhaps the most bitter thing for Botafogo fans is not the score. It is the opponent. They did not lose to Real Madrid. They did not lose to Man City. They did not lose to any of the European giants. They fell by a narrow score of 0-1 to Palmeiras, a team they had beaten in both encounters in the 2024 season.

While Palmeiras took the initiative to attack with great enthusiasm, Botafogo chose a calculated approach and paid a heavy price. Against PSG, Botafogo played as if they had nothing to lose. A brave spirit, fast, intense and fearless style of play.

But against Palmeiras, perhaps because they understood each other so well, Botafogo chose to play slow, steady, calculating... and then got stuck in their own tactical trap.

Coach Renato Paiva admitted: "The initial plan was to enter the game cautiously and then adjust to surprise Palmeiras." But the surprise did not come, and the opponent's increasing pressure and passivity caused Botafogo to lose the opportunity to control their destiny.

Even with Palmeiras down to 10 men in the final minutes of extra time, Botafogo were nothing but deadlocked. A team that had just beaten PSG, now unable to penetrate the defence of a club they regularly face in the domestic league.

Goalkeeper John could not hide his disappointment after the match. He deserved to be named Man of the Match if Botafogo had not lost to Palmeiras.

In the dressing room, the Botafogo players were silent and stunned, seemingly unable to accept this result. It was not a simple defeat, but a disappointment and dismay when facing a big dream that was so close, but slipped out of reach by a name they thought they had controlled in the past.

"The world now knows Botafogo and that's because of what we showed in this tournament," coach Paiva said proudly, though his heart was still heavy. "The way Botafogo played in the US will make anyone who truly loves this team proud. The players can leave the tournament with their heads held high."

Football is like that. Sometimes you can reach the top of the mountain, only to fall at the same old steps. It's not the fall that matters, it's how you get up afterwards.

Botafogo will be back. And hopefully next time, they will bring both the spirit that defeated PSG and the necessary alertness when meeting Palmeiras, so they can continue to write their own big dream.

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Trong Dat

Source: https://tienphong.vn/botafogo-khi-giac-mo-vuon-tam-vun-vo-boi-mot-guong-mat-than-quen-post1755694.tpo