PASADENA: Thirteen years of European dominance in intercontinental club football came to an end on Thursday as US side Inter Miami defeated Porto 2-1 and Brazilians Botafogo beat Champions League winners Paris St Germain 1-0 at the revamped Club World Cup.
Lionel Messi’s stunning free kick secured victory for Inter Miami after they came back from a goal down against the Portuguese side, while South American champions Botafogo delivered a disciplined display to outmanoeuvre PSG.
The results marked a seismic shift in a competition historically dominated by European sides, with the last non-European victory coming in 2012 when Brazils Corinthians defeated Chelsea in the Club World Cup final.
Botafogo’s triumph at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena was particularly striking.
The Brazilian champions entered the tournament with ample preparation time, arriving in the United States weeks in advance and conducting an intensive training camp in Los Angeles.
This stood in stark contrast to their gruelling schedule in December, when they had to play the final round of the Brazilian league before travelling to Qatar at the Intercontinental Cup with less than 72 hours to recover.
Against PSG, Botafogo delivered a tactical masterclass.
Their compact defensive formation frustrated the French champions, who enjoyed the lions share of possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances.
“The football graveyard is full of so-called favourites,” said Botafogos Portuguese coach Renato Paiva.
His sides discipline and composure were evident throughout as they nullified PSGs attacking threats and capitalised on a rare opportunity to secure the win, netting the winner in a quick counter led by forward Igor Jesus in the 36th minute.
The result threw Group ‘B’ wide open and deflated the mood in the PSG camp after their emphatic 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid in their opener.
Desire Doue, who scored twice in PSG’s 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the Champions League final last month, said failing to take their chances had cost them.
“We weren’t efficient,” the attacking midfielder said. “We had a lot of chances. They only had two or three shots and they scored. They were very efficient in front of our goal.”
Coach Luis Enrique did not look for excuses and praised the Copa Libertadores champions for their approach.
“Botafogo were the best defensive side we’ve come up against all season both in our league and in the Champions League. They were excellent,” the Spaniard said.
“They were simply highly efficient, very compact, and always had the threat of hitting us in transition. They scored a great goal through Jesus, and that gave them a real injection of belief.
“We didn’t create the number of chances we’re used to. We’re very accustomed to working against teams defending deep but it’s always difficult to break one down. In this case, Botafogo did it very well, and I congratulate them for it.”
Atletico bounced back from their loss to PSG as Diego Simeone’s side beat Seattle Sounders 3-1.
Pablo Barrios scored twice, including an 11th-minute opener which crashed in off the underside of the crossbar.
Belgian Axel Witsel came off the bench at half time and almost immediately made it 2-0, nodding in from close range after a Marcos Llorente shot was tipped onto the woodwork.
Albert Rusnak quickly pulled one back for Seattle, only for Barrios to score again for 3-1.
Botafogo top Group ‘B’ with six points, firmly on course for the last 16, with a final group game against Atletico to come in Pasadena on Monday.
PSG, who face Seattle in their final group game on Monday, and Atletico each have three points.
Seattle are facing probable elimination after two defeats but Luis Enrique did not expect things to get any easier for his side.
“This Club World Cup is very intense and difficult and all the teams are highly motivated, especially when they’re playing against us,” he added.
MESSI MAGIC
Earlier in the day, Inter Miami showcased resilience against Porto in Atlanta.
After falling behind they rallied through Messi’s brilliance, with the Argentine great curling a sensational free kick into the top corner to seal the comeback as the Major League Soccer side bounced back from their disappointing goalless draw against Egyptian side Al Ahly in their opening match.
Despite Porto enduring one of their poorest seasons in years, the victory was a significant statement by the MLS side on the global stage
Samu Aghehowa’s early penalty gave Porto the lead and they had the better of the first half but Telasco Segovia blasted Miami level and then Messi’s free-kick marked the first time a CONCACAF team has defeated a European side in an official FIFA tournament.
“It’s a great joy,” Messi said. “A lot of effort went into it, and we worked very well. I’m very happy. We were left with a bitter taste after the first match. We thought we could have won it.
“The other day [there were] nerves from a lot of young guys playing in such a significant competition. We’ve changed. We’re going to compete, try to play our game. Today we were the inferior team, but we have our weapons. Next up is Palmeiras, which is a big club in the world. It’s going to be another very difficult game.”
Inter Miami have four points from two games, meaning they are level atop Group ‘A’ with Palmeiras after the Brazilians beat Al Ahly 2-0 at MetLife Stadium outside New York.
A draw between Inter Miami and Palmeiras on Monday will send both teams into the last 16.
