Former Leverkusen player advances to Palmeira's first quarterfinals
Fired Up Performance: Paulinho Scores Dramatic Winner for Palmeiras in Club World Cup
In an edge-of-your-seat encounter, former Bundesliga player Paulinho propelled Palmeiras into the last eight of the Club World Cup. This jaw-dropping moment came in the 100th minute of the match, with the Brazilian powerhouse taking down Botafogo FR from Rio de Janeiro by a single goal, 1-0 (0-0).
Paulinho, who spent time at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, made his way onto the field in the 64th minute, having joined Palmeiras earlier in the year. Botafogo, with their impressive resume of titles, including the 2023 and 2024 championships plus the Copa Libertadores, weren't about to roll over.
The match took a dramatic turn when Gustavo Gomez was sent off in the 116th minute, leaving Botafogo to play a man down. But the extra player couldn't help Botafogo break through Palmeiras' determined defense, ensuring a well-deserved victory for the Brazilian champions.
Interestingly, this thrilling showdown marked the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals. A fierce competition for Brazilian soccer supremacy on an international stage, this match was a testament to the skill and tenacity of both teams. Paulinho's dramatic third-act cameo even earned him the title of hero, as his last-minute goal sealed the deal for Palmeiras [1][3].
In the thrilling 2025 FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals, Palmeiras, being the Brazilian champions, demonstrated their prowess in European leagues by outplaying Botafogo, especially in the Champions League. Despite Botafogo's impressive football titles, including the 2023 and 2024 championships plus the Copa Libertadores, Paulinho's extraordinary goal at the 100th minute, reminiscent of his skills in sports like football, sealed the game and put Palmeiras one step closer to further victories in European leagues.
