*More to follow
PSG easily defeated the American club Seattle Sounders 2-0 in the final Group B match. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid only managed a 1-0 victory against Botafogo.
Group B concluded with PSG, Botafogo, and Atletico Madrid all tied with 6 points. The tiebreaker was determined by the head-to-head goal difference between the three teams. PSG topped the group with a +3 goal difference, Botafogo had 0, and Atletico Madrid had -3. As a result, PSG and Botafogo advanced, while Diego Simeone's side suffered a shocking elimination in the group stage.
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Vitinha (left) celebrates Kvaratskhelia's opening goal during the match between PSG and Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington, USA, in the final Group B match of the FIFA Club World Cup on 23/6/2025. Photo: FIFA |
Vitinha (left) celebrates Kvaratskhelia's opening goal during the match between PSG and Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington, USA, in the final Group B match of the FIFA Club World Cup on 23/6/2025. Photo: FIFA
Seattle finished last in the group, losing all three of their matches. Playing at their home ground, Lumen Field, the American representatives started enthusiastically, fueled by the majority of the 50,628 fans in attendance. Chants of "Fight and win" echoed from the stands.
PSG appeared disjointed in the first half, including an incident where goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma misplaced a pass inside the penalty area, but the opponent's shot sailed over the bar. Throughout the match, Donnarumma wasn't forced to make any saves as the opponent failed to register a shot on target.
The reigning Champions League winners gradually regained control and opened the scoring with a bit of luck. Vitinha's long-range shot, initially heading wide, deflected off Kvaratskhelia's head and into the net. The Georgian winger seemed momentarily stunned, unaware that he had scored.
The goal silenced the Lumen Field crowd, dampening Seattle's spirits. Luis Enrique's team then created a series of chances, eventually adding another goal in the second half. Substitute Bradley Barcola made an immediate impact after replacing Kvaratskhelia. He dribbled down the left side of the penalty area on a counter-attack and delivered a low cross to the far post, where defender Achraf Hakimi slotted the ball into the near corner.
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Julian Alvarez (left) takes a long-range shot during the match between Atletico Madrid and Botafogo at the Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, California, USA, on 23/6/2025. Photo: FIFA |
Julian Alvarez (left) takes a long-range shot during the match between Atletico Madrid and Botafogo at the Rose Bowl, Los Angeles, California, USA, on 23/6/2025. Photo: FIFA
In the simultaneous match, Atletico Madrid dominated possession but had to wait until the 87th minute to break the deadlock against Botafogo.
Xuan Binh
