Not Enough: Atletico Madrid Stops Botafogo 1-0 at the Rose Bowl

Antoine Griezmann delivered in the clutch, scoring a late goal to lift Atlético Madrid past Botafogo 1-0 Monday afternoon at the Rose Bowl in the final Group B match of the FIFA Club World Cup. Despite the win, the result was not enough to push Atlético through the tournament.

The match, before 30,000-plus on a hot, sunny afternoon in the Arroyo Seco,  was a must-win for the Spaniards, who entered the game needing not only three points, but also a significant goal differential swing after a 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in their opener.

The victory gave them hope, but the narrow margin sent them home, with Botafogo moving ahead.

Botafogo had come in undefeated, after surprise wins over Seattle Sounders and PSG, needing only a draw to secure advancement. They defended bravely throughout the match, frustrating Atlético’s midfield-heavy attack for most of the afternoon.

Both sides struggled to maintain pace early. Atlético controlled possession but struggled to break down Botafogo’s compact formation. João Félix and Ángel Correa both saw chances go wide in the first half, and Botafogo keeper Lucas Perri made a series of confident stops.

The breakthrough finally came in the 87th minute. After a sustained period of pressure, Griezmann found space at the top of the box, took a touch to settle, and fired a low shot past Perri to the bottom left corner. The French striker’s celebration was subdued—he and his teammates knew the job wasn’t fully done.

Botafogo pushed forward in the final minutes, but their last-gasp equalizer attempt, a header from Tiquinho Soares, sailed just over the bar.

Atlético’s win gave them six points in three games, matching Botafogo and PSG. But due to the tournament’s tiebreaker rules, goal differential left them on the outside looking in.

Final whistle or not, it was a spirited, world-class battle in front of a vibrant, pro-Botafogo Rose Bowl crowd. Whether Atlético advances or not, Monday’s match showcased the intensity of this new expanded Club World Cup—and the oh-so-slight margins that separate “Good job!” from “Goodbye!”