Paulinho makes the difference! Palmeiras survive late red card scare as forward's solo run seals extra-time victory to knock Brazilian rivals Botafogo out of Club World Cup

The Club World Cup promises to throw up new and unexpected matchups. Unsurprisingly, the first half felt like two teams that know each other well, sizing each other up. Palmeiras dominated the ball, and looked the more industrious of the two Brazilian sides, but Botafogo were content to hold their shape.

The only clear cut chance generated in the opening half came when Palmeiras front man Vitor Roque failed to convert a tantalising cross from Joaquin Piquerez in the opening 10 minutes.

Verdao continued to look the better side after the break, with highly rated winger Estevao having an effort chalked off for a razor thin offside in the 49th minute. Where Botafogo looked calm under pressure in the first half, their backline was increasingly frantic in warding off the Palmeiras attack, forcing John Victor into several smart saves in the Fogo net before the hour mark.

The Botafogo keeper proved his worth again in the 72nd minute, making a smart stop from a point blank header by Mauricio. Neither team committed players forward for the remainder of regulation, seemingly settling for extra time.

Once again, it was Victor who provided the last line of defence for the team from Rio, pushing a long range effort from Richard Rios round the post halfway through the first half of extra time. Moments later, the deadlock was broken as Paulinho dribbled into the Botafogo box and squeezed an effort inside the far post in the 100th minute. On replay, it appeared the sidefooted shot was deflected past the titanic keeper by his centre half, Alexander Barboza.

Palmeiras invited pressure as they protected their lead, and should have given up an equaliser when Vitinha volleyed a back post cross into the side netting. Their task was made even harder when captain Gustavo Gomez was shown a second yellow for an off the ball scuffle in the dying embers, but they were ultimately able to hold on.

Colombian Richard Ríos bossed the middle of the park and provided a goal threat throughout, stinging Victor's gloves and whistling efforts past the post. He has been linked with a move to Europe, but a rumoured release clause of €90 million may ward off potential suitors.

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Abel Ferreira: Palmeiras looked at their most dangerous in the fifteen minutes after the break, with Estevao and Roque giving the Fogo defence all sorts of headaches with direct dribbling and sharp link-up play. Coach Ferreira's decision to call their number in the 64th minute was slightly puzzling. While Verdao remained on top, they looked slightly toothless before the game went into extra time.

Palmeiras can now turn their attention to this evening's between Benfica and Chelsea. They will face off against the winner in Philadelphia on Friday 4th July.