Two goals in the first half were everything that Botafogo needed to open their FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) campaign with a 2-1 win over a combative Seattle Sounders-side on Lumen Field.
Despite the fact that they were clear underdogs before the competition, the Sounders looked comfortable in the early moments, although it didn't last long. Botafogo needed about 10 minutes to settle in the game, and started testing Stefan Frei, with the veteran goalkeeper Igor Jesus' header denied and Alex tells the volley for fifteen minutes.
Seattle reacted through Jesus Ferreira with a broad shot, but the American side was missing ideas to threaten Botafogo's line of defense.
It was not surprising to see the Sounders fall deeper as the game progressed, allowing Botafogo to push higher on the field, and the Brazilian club used a colossal error to break the impasse.
Nouhou Tolo pushed Artur, and saw the resulting free kick tell that Jair Cunha was set up, who scored the first goal of his career with a thumping header up close.
Seattle pushed the lines forward after the goal, but Botafogo would double their lead just before the break when the cross of Vitinho was bent home by Igor Jesus, giving the Copa Libertadores 2024 a two-goal lead.
The Sounders opened the second half with a different mindset and a more positive attitude, and they came close to before when Jackson Ragen almost withdrew one from close by.
And although Seattle Botafogo pushed in their half, their lack of clarity in the last third prevented them from taking advantage of the few opportunities they succeeded in creating until the 75th minute, when Cristian Roldan found the back of the net with a header who bent from Igor Jesus.
The last 15 minutes were a monologue of the Sounders, but even the introduction of players such as Pedro de la Vega or Osaze de Rosario did not help the Americans.
Despite their efforts and a golden chance in the 94th minute, the Sounders could not complete the comeback and endured a 2-1 defeat, although they could have earned a little more based on their second half.
Botafogo will be happy to have earned the three points, but they have to worry about their second half performance with PSG and Atletico de Madrid on their schedule.
Flash score Man of the match: Jair (Botafogo)