Paris Saint-Germain defender Lucas Hernandez has praised “aggressive” Botafogo after the Champions League winners conceded their first goal in more than six hours of football in a 1-0 defeat at the 2025 Club World Cup in California on Thursday.
The Ligue 1 holders had 75% of possession and 16 of the 20 attempts between the teams but lost their second group stage game to Igor Jesus’s 36th-minute winner for the Brazilian side, who also beat the Seattle Sounders on Matchday 1.
“They were a great team,” said Hernandez, via L’Equipe. “In the first half, they had that opportunity and managed to score. “We tried everything to get back into the game.”
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PSG vs Botafogo
“They gave everything they had,” Hernandez added of Botafogo. “They defended well, played their game well and were very aggressive.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t meet that challenge, but we still have one match left to qualify. We didn’t have much space. Botafogo were aggressive and in this kind of match, when you’re behind. it’s difficult to come back.”
PSG are almost certain to reach the last 16 if they beat MLS club Seattle on Monday (20:00 BST). The Sounders lost 3-1 on Thursday to Atletico Madrid, who PSG beat 4-0 in their opener.
Club World Cup 2025: PSG beaten
Luis Enrique’s team had not conceded for more than a month, keeping clean sheets in their French Cup final win over Reims, Champions League final victory over Inter and defeat of Atleti.
“Botafogo are the team who have defended best against us this season,” said the coach. “They acted as a unit, they were united.
“We didn’t generate as many chances as usual. We are used to playing against low blocks but it is very difficult. Congratulations to them.
“It’s a very intense competition. Everyone is highly motivated regardless of the team they face, and especially against us. It’s a very short competition and you can be eliminated quickly.
“If there’s a team capable of turning a situation around, it’s ours. And there aren’t many. In terms of attitude, we were very good. The result shouldn’t erase everything.
“We have to look at what we did well and what we can improve. For example, we conceded more transitions than in many matches. But in these tournaments, you have to perform at key moments. We didn’t.”
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Club World Cup ‘very interesting’ for Luis Enrique
The Spaniard was asked there was significance in a South American team beating European opposition. “None,” replied Luis Enrique.
“What do you want me to say? This competition brings together a fairly balanced mix of the best from around the world.
“In the future, this could be an international benchmark tournament to see what’s out there. For me, as a coach, it’s very interesting.”
PSG Fifa Club World Cup 2025 fixtures, schedule, results
PSG are in Group B. Here’s when and where they play each of their initial rivals.
Sunday, June 15
PSG 4-0 Atletico Madrid (Los Angeles)
Friday, June 20
PSG 0-1 Botafogo (Los Angeles)
Monday, June 23
Seattle vs PSG (Seattle, 20:00)
PSG Club World Cup knockout stage path
PSG will be eliminated if they finish outside of the top two in their group. Otherwise, they will advance to a last-16 match against a team from Group A, which contains Palmeiras, Porto, Al-Ahly and Inter Miami.
That game will take place on Saturday, June 28 in Philadelphia at 17:00 if they are runners-up or on Sunday, June 29 in Atlanta at 17:00 if they are group winners.
Should they reach the quarter-finals, PSG will face a team from Group C – Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors or Benfica – or Group D, which features Flamengo, Esperance, Chelsea and Los Angeles.
That game will take place in Philadelphia on Friday, July 5 at 02:00 if they are group runners-up or Atlanta at 17:00 on the same day if they win their group.
Their semi-final will be in New Jersey, taking place at 20:00 on Tuesday, July 8 if they are runners-up or at the same time on Wednesday, July 9 if they win their group.
The final is also in New Jersey at 20:00 on Sunday, July 13.
PSG Club World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matvey Safonov, Arnau Tenas
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Lucas Peraldo, Presnel Kimpembe, Nuno Mendes, Lucas Hernandez, William Pacho, Noah Kamara
Midfielders: Gabriel Moscardo, Fabian Ruiz, Joao Neves, Senny Mayolo, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha
Forwards: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Gonçalo Ramos, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Lee Kang-In, Bradley Barcola, Ibrahim Mbaye
PSG at the Club World Cup: Live stream, TV channel in UK
Live coverage of 40 of the matches is on DAZN, with 23 on Channel 5. DAZN Subscribers or Freemium member can tune in as part of their existing membership, while non-subscribers can register for a free account to start watching.
Fans can watch on the go via the DAZN App on smart TVs, phones, tablets, games consoles and streaming devices.
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