FIFA Club World Cup 2025 | Group B: Atlético de Madrid vs Botafogo | Preview and Prediction

A blockbuster Group B encounter awaits us as Brazilian side Botafogo look to go undefeated into the Round of 16 as they lock horns against Spanish side Atlético de Madrid in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Here is our preview and prediction for the game.

2025 FIFA Club World Cup | Group B: Atlético de Madrid vs Botafogo | 00:30 AM, 24th June

Atlético Madrid entered this tournament as one of the sides to watch out for given their defensive intensity and their attacking quality. Two games later, they find themselves in a situation where their hopes of qualifying for the next round of this tournament hangs very much in the balance.

Los Rojiblancos had the worst possible start to this tournament, suffering a 4-0 shellacking at the hands of the reigning European Champions PSG. They were absolutely no match for the speed, trickery, and the creative artistry of their opponents as the Parisians continued to run circles around them for the entire 90 minutes. The manner of defeat did not sit well with manager Diego Simeone, as he went on a verbal barrage post-game, pointing fingers at the financial disparity between the two sides.

There was a marked improvement in the level of performance from his side as they returned to winning ways against American side Seattle Sounders in their second group fixture. A brace from Pablo Barrios and an Axel Witsel strike meant that they ran out 3-1 winners against the MLS side. However, the goal conceded against Seattle could very well prove to be the deal-breaker as their goal difference currently stands at -2, which means that they will have to score at least 3 goals without conceding to have any sort of chance to qualify. 

Given PSG face Seattle in their last fixture, any result other than a win could spell the end of the road in this tournament for the Los Rojiblancos.

If you would have told a Botafogo fan that they would be top of the table after two games, having won both of them in a group that contains Paris St-Germain and Atlético Madrid, they would have bit your hand off and called you crazy. 

However, this is exactly the situation that the Brazilians find themselves in. They started their campaign with a nervy 2-1 victory over Seattle Sounders in which the players themselves admitted that they were complacent after going 2-0 up. But their real crowning moment in this tournament came in their second game when they demonstrated astonishing results by beating PSG 1-0. It also gave us an all-timer quote from their manager Renato Paiva, who said “The football graveyard is full of favourites” before his side went on to beat them.

The Alvinegro Carioca have been a very resolute side. They have a very rugged and well-drilled defense that PSG found almost impossible to break down. Led by the outgoing duo of Jair Cunha and Alexander Barbosa. They also have former European footballing names in left-back Alex Telles and former Napoli midfielder Allan. Led by their gangly striker Igor Jesus and their mercurial and maverick winger Jefferson Savarino, Botafogo also have the attacking wherewithal to cause their opponents’ all sorts of problems.

The Brazilian side have been a breath of fresh air in this tournament, and they know that even a draw against Atlético will be enough for them to not only qualify for the Round of 16, but get top spot in their group, something that not many figured they could do at the start of the tournament.

Atlético are playing for their prestige and a chance to live another day in this tournament. Botafogo are playing for prestige as well, but also joy and a sense of unity that has seen them become the force they are – after years of mediocrity and irrelevance. This game is guaranteed to produce fireworks one way or another.

Atlético on paper have the better team, but Botafogo has the momentum behind them, a supreme sense of confidence and also the quality on their side. This game has all the makings of a feisty draw. Expect a fair few fouls as well given the physicality on offer from both sides.

Score Prediction: Atlético Madrid 1- 1 Botafogo

Venue: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California, Los Angeles.