Botafogo shocks PSG, Messi shines at Club World Cup

NEW YORK, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Botafogo stunned European champions Paris Saint-Germain with a 1-0 win on Thursday to stay perfect at the FIFA Club World Cup and take command of Group B.

Elsewhere, Palmeiras, Atletico Madrid and Inter Miami also recorded victories to boost their chances of reaching the knockout stage.

Igor Jesus scored for the second straight match as Botafogo caused the biggest surprise of the tournament so far at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

The 24-year-old Brazil international put last year's Brazilian Serie A and Copa Libertadores winners ahead when he ran onto Jefferson Savarino's inch-perfect pass and cut inside before lashing an 18-yard drive that deflected in off Willian Pacho's left leg.

Paris Saint-Germain controlled 75% of possession and completed almost three times as many passes as its opponent but could only manage two shots on target.

"It's a huge result," said Jesus, who also scored in Botafogo's 2-1 opening win over Seattle Sounders. "It's not easy to come up against a team like Paris Saint-Germain but we know our capacity and believed that we could do it."

The victory leaves Botafogo top of Group B with six points, three ahead of second-placed PSG. The Rio de Janeiro outfit needs only a draw in its final group game against Atletico Madrid on Monday to advance to the competition's next stage.

In New Jersey, Brazil's Palmeiras moved to the top of Group A with a 2-0 victory over Egyptian side Al Ahly.

Wessam Abou Ali gifted Palmeiras the lead when he headed the ball into his own net while attempting to clear Anibal Moreno's dangerous free-kick.

Substitute Jose Lopez doubled the advantage just before the hour with a composed finish after a quick transition.

"They were difficult opponents but we kept our focus," Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira said. "This group is very united. We know that we have the technical ability to compete and everyone knows their role."

The result means that Palmeiras needs only a draw in its final group match against Inter Miami on Monday to reach the last 16.

In Atlanta, Lionel Messi scored with a free-kick as Inter Miami recovered from a goal down to beat Porto 2-1.

Samu Aghehowa put his side ahead from the penalty spot after Noah Allen was deemed to have fouled Joao Mario with a clip to the shin.

Venezuelan midfielder Telasco Segovia equalized by smashing a first-time effort into the top-right corner after Marcelo Weigandt's clever run and cross.

Messi completed the turnaround by curling a free kick over the wall and beyond the reach of goalkeeper Claudio Ramos.

"In a footballing sense, what else is there to say? He is the best player to have played this sport in its history," Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano said of 37-year-old Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"But what is surprising is his will to win. Today, even in the closing minutes, tired, with a knock, he kept helping the team in any way he could, in attack, in defense, to get the result."

In Seattle, Pablo Barrios struck twice as Atletico Madrid claimed its first win of the tournament with a 3-1 defeat of Seattle Sounders.

Barrios opened the scoring with a first-time effort that rebounded in from the underside of the crossbar before teammate Axel Witsel headed in from close-range.

Albert Rusnak pulled a goal back for the MLS club by firing home from 12 yards but Barrios restored his team's two-goal cushion by drilling a shot into the far corner after Marcos Llorente's long throw-in.

"We could have scored three or four goals if it wasn't for their goalkeeper [Stefan Frei]," Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone told a post-match news conference. "Every match now is like a final. There is nothing we can do except win." ■