30/06/2025

MONDAY | JUNE 30, 2025

30

SPORTS

Palmeiras win battle of Brazil Super-sub Paulinho strikes in extra-time to down Botafogo

S UBSTITUTE Paulinho scored an extratime winner to settle a Brazilian battle of attrition as Palmeiras edged Botafogo 1-0 yesterday to win through to the Club World Cup quarterfi nals. The winger came on at the same time in the second half as Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira withdrew teenage sensation Estevao Willian, a move that appeared baffling at the time but ultimately proved inspired. The tie had reached the 100th minute when

Botafogo pipped Palmeiras to the domestic title and also won the Copa Libertadores for the first time in their history in 2024. They then lost their coach and several key players, but still managed to beat European champions Paris Saint-Germain during the group stage of the Club World Cup as they qualified for the knockout phase ahead of Atletico Madrid. Nevertheless Palmeiras were the more lively of the two teams in a game played in warm midday conditions in Philadelphia. All eyes were on Estevao, the 18-year-old winger who will join Chelsea once the tournament is over and is seen as Brazil’s next big thing. He found it hard to make an impact in what was for long spells a disappointing game pockmarked by moments of quality. Colombian midfielder Rios came close to scoring in first-half stoppage time with a thunderous shot from the edge of the box that was deflected onto the roof of the net. Estevao then came to life after the restart, forcing a good save from Botafogo goalkeeper John Victor and then putting the ball in the net only to be denied by an offside flag. There was surprise around the stadium

was tipped over and Paulinho then blazed high from a good position as normal time ended goalless. Into the extra half-hour they went. A Rios pile driver was parried behind before the goal finally arrived thanks to the once-capped Brazil winger who played in the Atletico Mineiro side beaten by Botafogo in last year’s Libertadores final. The substitute was then promptly substituted, his job done for the day. Botafogo pushed for an equaliser that would have led to penalties, but could not find it even after Paraguayan centreback Gomez walked for a second booking in the 116th minute for grappling off the ball with Alexander Barboza. – AFP

Paulinho collected a pass by Richard Rios on the right flank and was afforded the time and space to come inside into the box before slotting a low shot into the far corner. That sparked wild celebrations among the Palmeiras fans who made up the vast majority of the 33,657 crowd inside Lincoln Financial Field, and the side from Sao Paulo held on to win the last-16 showdown despite having captain Gustavo Gomez sent off late on. “I am really happy. Luckily I managed to get the goal,” the former Bayer Leverkusen player, who has struggled with injury since signing for Palmeiras at the start of the year, told broadcaster DAZN . “The coach is doing all he can to help me settle into the squad in this difficult time for me, because I had a serious injury which still causes me pain. “There is no time to feel sorry for yourself in this competition. You have to make things happen and that is what I am doing.” Winners of the Copa Libertadores in 2020 and 2021, Palmeiras will now stay in Philadelphia for a last-eight tie on Saturday against Chelsea. They had been the more dangerous side throughout in this meeting of the top two in last year’s Brazilian league, with almost all of the chances falling the way of the men in green. Rio de

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when the starlet was taken off just after the hour alongside striker Vitor Roque, with Luighi and Paulinho sent into the attack. A Mauricio header from a Joaquin Piquerez cross

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Palmeiras’ Paulinho (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Botafogo. – AFPPIC

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Klopp slams expanded CWC FORMER Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has criticised the introduction of the expanded Club World Cup format, calling it the worst idea ever implemented in football. In an interview with German newspaper Die Welt published on Saturday, Klopp said the tournament would put more strain on an already packed calendar for the players.

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Club World Cup, and next year the World Cup. “That means no real recovery for the players involved, neither physically nor mentally.” Klopp pointed out that today’s players are getting less and less time to rest, warning that adding another tournament was potentially dangerous for their health. “It’s too many games. I fear that next season we will see injuries like never before. If not then, they’ll come during or after the Club World Cup,” the German said. Klopp, who ended his highly successful nine-year stint with Liverpool in 2024, is now head of global soccer for Red Bull, owners of several clubs including RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls. Klopp was also asked if he would like to coach again. “I don’t want that anymore. I have a job now that fulfils me and is also intense. I don’t sleep in the morning and I don’t go to bed later at night, but I can organise my work much better,” he said. – Reuters/Agencies

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The expanded format features a 32-team event held every four years during the pre season, in the summers between major international tournaments. “It’s a pointless competition. Whoever wins it will be the worst winner of all time because they’ll have played all summer and then gone straight back into the league,” Klopp said. “There are people who have never been involved in the day-to-day business of football and are now coming up with ideas. “There is insane money for participating, but it’s also not for every club. “Last year it was the Copa (America) and the European Championship, this year it’s the

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