In a nation where bitter football feuds typically simmer across generations, Botafogo and Palmeiras are poised to add another chapter to Brazil’s explosive new rivalry when they meet in the last 16 of the Club World Cup on Saturday.

The feud, which erupted in 2023, has seen dramatic twists both on and off the pitch.

Palmeiras, spearheaded by teenage sensation Endrick, overturned a three-goal deficit to defeat Botafogo 4-3, a result that triggered the Rio club’s collapse in the Brazilian championship race.

Palmeiras subsequently clinched the league title, sparking tensions that spilled into public exchanges between club officials.

Palmeiras president Leila Pereira called Botafogo’s owner John Textor “an idiot” and suggested he should be “banned from Brazilian football” after the American alleged referee bias in favor of Palmeiras.

The rivalry defies Brazil’s traditional city-based football feuds, with Palmeiras hailing from Sao Paulo and Botafogo from Rio de Janeiro.

Unlike the century-old feuds of Flamengo-Fluminense or Atletico-Cruzeiro, this cross-country animosity has evolved into a pressure-cooker dynamic, with each encounter carrying heightened stakes.

Botafogo exacted revenge in the 2024 Copa Libertadores, eliminating Palmeiras in the round of 16 en route to claiming the continental title.

When the two met again in the Brazilian league at Palmeiras’ home ground, Botafogo won again and eventually secured a domestic and international double.

Since that 2023 defeat, Botafogo have gone unbeaten against Palmeiras in five consecutive matches.

Saturday’s encounter at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field will test the limits of a rivalry that has transcended mere competition, with local commentators describing it as “collective catharsis” for fans and players alike.

“It means a lot. The last few games between Botafogo and Palmeiras have been high-level and intense,” defender Alex Telles told reporters on Friday.

“It’s a healthy rivalry for Brazilian football. It’s great to see two Brazilian teams facing each other in the Club World Cup and also to have all four teams advancing (to the last 16).”

On Saturday in Philadelphia, a new chapter will be written in this captivating and intense rivalry that has gripped the South American nation.

-Reuters

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Manchester City secured top spot in Group G of the Club World Cup with a 5-2 thrashing of Juventus on Thursday, exposing the Serie A side’s defensive frailties in emphatic fashion.

With both teams already through to the knockout stage, City underlined their status as title favourites by becoming the only team to finish the group phase with three wins, showing flashes of their brilliant selves.

Pep Guardiola’s side finished three points clear of Juventus, who will face the winners of Group H in the last 16.

Real Madrid can clinch that group later on Thursday with a win over RB Salzburg. Both Salzburg and Al-Hilal, who face already-eliminated Pachuca, remain in contention for qualification.

City took the lead early through Jeremy Doku, who finished a precise move set up by a superb through pass from new signing Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Juventus responded quickly, capitalising on a mistake from City goalkeeper Ederson, whose poor clearance allowed Teun Koopmeiners to pounce, and the Dutch midfielder made no mistake, driving in the equaliser.

City regained the lead in the 26th minute when Matheus Nunes delivered a low cross into the box from the right. Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu, under little pressure, deflected the ball into his own net past a helpless Michele Di Gregorio.

The Premier League side added another with a third goal from Erling Haaland. After a quick break, Nunes again provided the assist, threading a pass into Haaland’s path for the Norwegian forward to bundle the ball over the line from close range.

Phil Foden put the result beyond doubt in the 69th minute, poking the ball home after Savinho tapped Haaland’s low cross into his path.

Savinho rubbed salt in Juve’s wounds when the ball fell to him at the edge of the box and he crashed a thunderous effort in off the crossbar.

Dusan Vlahovic reduced the arrears six minutes from time, but it was way too little, and much too late for Juve.

-Reuters

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Africa’s challenge at the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup came to a premature end on Wednesday night, as South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a goalless draw by Brazilian side Fluminense at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, USA.

The result sealed Sundowns’ elimination and confirmed that all four African representatives—Sundowns, Al Ahly of Egypt, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, and Esperance of Tunisia—have exited the tournament at the group stage.

Sundowns went into their final Group F clash needing an outright win to advance to the Round of 16, but the more experienced Fluminense needed just a point to secure qualification behind group leaders Borussia Dortmund. Despite a promising start and early opportunities for Lucas Ribeiro and Tashreeq Matthews, the South Africans could not convert their dominance into goals.

Fluminense grew stronger as the match progressed and came close to snatching a late winner when Argentine forward Germán Cano rattled the post in the second half. In the end, the 0-0 result was enough for the Brazilian side to progress, while Sundowns bowed out with four points, finishing third in the group.

Elsewhere, North African duo Al Ahly and Esperance had already crashed out earlier in the week after failing to progress from their respective groups. Wydad Casablanca are set to conclude their campaign against Al Ain on Thursday, but with both sides already eliminated, the fixture will be little more than a formality.

Africa’s early exit from the maiden 32-team edition of the FIFA Club World Cup raises fresh questions about the continent’s competitiveness at global club level, despite recent successes in continental tournaments.

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