Botafogo Shock PSG 1-0 at Club World Cup

Botafogo's Igor Jesus gestures as he leaves the field after winning during the Club World Cup group B soccer match between PSG and Botafogo in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Botafogo's Igor Jesus gestures as he leaves the field after winning during the Club World Cup group B soccer match between PSG and Botafogo in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Botafogo Shock PSG 1-0 at Club World Cup

Botafogo's Igor Jesus gestures as he leaves the field after winning during the Club World Cup group B soccer match between PSG and Botafogo in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Botafogo's Igor Jesus gestures as he leaves the field after winning during the Club World Cup group B soccer match between PSG and Botafogo in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Brazil's Botafogo withstood waves of attacks from Paris St Germain to stun the European champions 1-0 on Thursday and throw Group B at the Club World Cup wide open.

PSG dominated possession at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena but Botafogo's resolute defense stood tall in the first competitive meeting between the two clubs, Reuters reported.

The goal came in the 36th minute when Botafogo gained possession in midfield and Jefferson Savarino slid a pass through for Igor Jesus to run in on goal.

Jesus outmaneuvered two defenders and his shot deflected off the leg of PSG's Willian Pacho, the ball changing direction and leaving goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma flatfooted and only able to watch as the ball skipped into the net.

Jesus celebrated by hopping over the barrier and was mobbed by delirious Botafogo fans.

PSG continued to be the aggressors in the second half as Botafogo were content to protect their lead and try to capitalize on the break.

PSG, who had scored 19 goals in their last five matches, had the ball in the net in the 79th minute but the goal was chalked off for offside and Botafogo held for the shock win.

The Brazilians became the first team to stop PSG scoring since March when Liverpool defeated them 1-0 in the Champions League. The French side had scored in 19 consecutive games until losing on Thursday.

Botafogo coach Renato Paiva said his team had beaten PSG at their own game.

"Being a great team, playing together, all the guys defending, all the guys attacking, and that's the big secret of this PSG team, that's why they compete and win," he said.

"They are a fantastic team. I said this, PSG are a lesson to everybody nowadays in football. And I told my guys, just be a team, enjoy playing together, attack together, defend together, and enjoy. And they did they did it. Fantastic."

PSG were once again without Ousmane Dembele, who suffered an injury while playing for France in the UEFA Nations League earlier this month.

The victory gives the South American champions a huge boost in their hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds after they beat MLS side Seattle Sounders 2-1 in their opener.

PSG, who thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-0 in their first match, will look to bounce back against the Sounders on Monday while Botafogo are back at the Rose Bowl again to take on Atletico the same day.

Brazil's four teams at the 32-club tournament are unbeaten so far and Paiva said it showed the strength of the game in the South American nation.

"I think it's the quality of Brazilian players, the quality of what people are doing in Brazil, especially the coaches," he said.

"Brazil will always be Brazil in world football."



Arsenal's Arteta Says he Has to Earn the Right to Get Contract Extension

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta kicks back a ball during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers, in London, Britain, 13 December 2025.  EPA/TOLGA AKMEN
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta kicks back a ball during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers, in London, Britain, 13 December 2025. EPA/TOLGA AKMEN
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Arsenal's Arteta Says he Has to Earn the Right to Get Contract Extension

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta kicks back a ball during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers, in London, Britain, 13 December 2025.  EPA/TOLGA AKMEN
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta kicks back a ball during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers, in London, Britain, 13 December 2025. EPA/TOLGA AKMEN

Mikel Arteta suggested he could extend his contract at Arsenal beyond 2027 but says he still has to earn the right to continue as manager by winning silverware at the Premier League club.

Arteta, who completes six years in charge of Arsenal on Saturday, won the FA Cup with the North London club in 2020 but has yet to taste success in the league, his side finishing runner-up in ⁠the last three campaigns.

They are currently two points clear this season and have also reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

Asked whether he could see himself extending his stay beyond the end of his contract in 2027, Arteta told ⁠reporters on Friday: "Yes, but it’s about today. And a lot of things have to happen in the next few months as well to earn the right.

"I think a manager has to earn the right to be here tomorrow. A lot of things have to happen in the next few months as well to earn the right (for an extension),” Reuters quoted him as saying.

The Spaniard said ⁠Arsenal's lack of trophies was not down to substandard performances.

"You look at the performances, all the records that we had that were broken in the history of the club. We still haven't managed to do that (win trophies)," he added.

"That tells you the level we are in, which is a level that the Premier League has never experienced in the past."

Arsenal travel to Everton later on Saturday.


Saudi King, Crown Prince Congratulate King of Morocco on Winning FIFA Arab Cup

Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi's jersey is displayed in a shop in Rabat, on December 19, 2025, ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 2 ACHRAF HAKIMI (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP)
Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi's jersey is displayed in a shop in Rabat, on December 19, 2025, ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 2 ACHRAF HAKIMI (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP)
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Saudi King, Crown Prince Congratulate King of Morocco on Winning FIFA Arab Cup

Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi's jersey is displayed in a shop in Rabat, on December 19, 2025, ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 2 ACHRAF HAKIMI (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP)
Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi's jersey is displayed in a shop in Rabat, on December 19, 2025, ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 2 ACHRAF HAKIMI (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a cable of congratulations to King Mohammed VI of Morocco on the occasion of his country's national team winning the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques conveyed to the Moroccan King his sincerest congratulations and best wishes for continued progress and success, and to the people of Morocco steady progress and prosperity.

According to SPA, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, also sent a cable of congratulations to King Mohammed VI.

The Crown Prince conveyed to the King his sincerest congratulations and best wishes for continued progress and success, and to the government and people of Morocco steady progress and prosperity.


Blow for Algeria as Key Midfielder Ruled out of Cup of Nations

Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Al Ittihad - Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - May 7, 2025 Al Ittihad's Houssem Aouar REUTERS/Stringer
Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Al Ittihad - Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - May 7, 2025 Al Ittihad's Houssem Aouar REUTERS/Stringer
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Blow for Algeria as Key Midfielder Ruled out of Cup of Nations

Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Al Ittihad - Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - May 7, 2025 Al Ittihad's Houssem Aouar REUTERS/Stringer
Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Al Ittihad - Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - May 7, 2025 Al Ittihad's Houssem Aouar REUTERS/Stringer

Algeria have been dealt a blow to their Africa Cup ​of Nations hopes with the withdrawal of key midfielder Houssem Aouar on Friday.

He was injured in training on Thursday, an Algerian football federation ‌statement said, ‌and will ‌be ⁠replaced for ​the ‌tournament in Morocco by Himad Abdelli from French club Angers. No details of the injury were given, Reuters reported.

Aouar, who won a cap ⁠for France before switching his ‌international allegiance to Algeria, ‍played at ‍the last Cup of ‍Nations in the Ivory Coast two years ago where Algeria were shock early casualties.

In ​Morocco, Algeria compete in Group E, starting against ⁠Sudan in Rabat on Wednesday before playing Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea.

Abdelli was a surprise omission from Algeria’s initial 28-man squad list announced last week. The 26-year-old is French-born but has won four caps ‌for Algeria.