Brazil international Igor Jesus’ game-winning header lifts Botafogo past Seattle Sounders in their Club World Cup Group B opener

Botafogo opened their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders on Sunday evening at Lumen Field. The Brazilian side capitalized on two first-half defensive errors, and while the Sounders mounted a late push, they couldn’t avoid a disappointing home loss.

It's a big result for the Brazilian side, who had to withstand a late rally from the home side.

"First half was okay, but the second half we didn't cope with the intensity of the opponent," Botafogo manager Renato Paiva told DAZN after the match. "It was not a very good game for us, but the first game in these competitions is always difficult because of the anxiety and all of that. Three points, we won… It's most important."

Left back Nouhou Tolo committed a needless foul 28 minutes into the match, and off the ensuing free kick, Botafogo scored the opener. A phenomenal ball from former Selecao international Alex Telles was delivered in the box, and 20-year-old Jair Filho smashed home to give them a 1-0 lead. Then, on the brink of halftime, current Brazil international Igor Jesus doubled their lead, scoring the eventual winner. The 24-year-old striker smashed home another header for the Brazilian side, but Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei appeared to be caught off-guard, as he was flat-footed as he dove towards what appeared to be a saveable attempt.

After a poor first-half showing, the MLS side looked reinvigorated in the second half, having most of the momentum throughout the final 45 minutes - but their early deficit was too much to overcome. Midfielder Cristian Roldan, who was a member of the 2022 FIFA World Cup squad with the USMNT, did earn them a goal back in the 76th minute - but nothing else arrived, despite numerous chances.

"Yeah, obviously exciting to be the first to score in a Club World Cup in our stadium. I mean, what an unbelievable experience.." Roldan said, reflecting on his goal. "We felt like we deserved more. We shot ourselves in the foot, letting two goals in in the first half, and an incredible performance, I think, from our team. We showed a lot of resilience."

Botafogo sit second in Group B at the end of the day, trailing Ligue 1 side PSG in first, while the Sounders sit third above Atletico Madrid - though both are on zero points, and Seattle's spot ahead is due to criteria points. Roldan hopes his team will show improvement when it hosts Atleti on Thursday.

"Intensity was there [against Botafogo]," he said. "The intensity was great. Mentality was great. Once we're down 2-0, we have nothing to lose, right? I hope to see that in our next game."

The Sounders are the only MLS team to ever win the CONCACAF Champions League. In 2022, they claimed victory in the competition, which clinched their berth in the Club World Cup.

Botafogo, meanwhile, clinched a spot after defeating Clube Atlético Mineiro in the 2024 Copa Libertadores final.

Igor Jesus: The Brazil striker scored a splendid header for their second goal of the evening, but over the course of the entire first half, he was an absolute menace in the final third of the pitch. He kept the Sounders defense busy, rotating across the entire back line, while being the key figure for the Brazilian club in transition.

Nouhou Tolo: The Sounders' veteran committed an egregious error on the opening goal, seeing yellow for a foul that led to the free kick assist for Botafogo's opener, and was hooked at halftime as a result.

Just a terrible cameo for the Cameroon international, who has often been a reliable defender for the MLS franchise over the years. An evening to forget for the 27-year-old.

In their second game of the Group Stage, the Sounders will take on La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid on Thursday, while Botafogo will clash with reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain.