Atletico Madrid and Botafogo face off on Matchday 3 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, with Group B qualification on the line. It’s the final round of group-stage play, and every point matters. Atletico, led by Diego Simeone, know that their path to the knockout stage is in their own hands—they must win to keep their hopes alive.
Atletico Madrid arrive at this decisive clash after a turbulent start to the tournament. They opened their campaign with a humbling 4–0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain, raising concerns about their form. However, they bounced back with a much-needed 3–1 win over the Seattle Sounders. With three points on the board, Los Rojiblancos now aim to secure all three against Botafogo and take control of their own destiny.
On the other side, Botafogo have been the surprise package of Group B. The Brazilian side kicked off their run with a 2–1 win over the Sounders—though they nearly let the match slip in the final moments. They followed it up with a stunning 1–0 victory over PSG, scoring in the 36th minute and defending resolutely to hold off the reigning UEFA Champions League winners. With two wins, Botafogo top the group and need just a draw to ensure progression.
As group standings tighten, tiebreaker rules become crucial. According to tournament guidelines, head-to-head results are the first criterion when teams are tied on points. If that doesn’t break the deadlock, goal difference in those specific matches comes into play, followed by total goals scored in head-to-head matchups. Every goal could be decisive.
What happens if Atletico Madrid beat Botafogo?
If Atletico win, they give themselves a legitimate shot at advancing. However, they must also hope that PSG do not win their match against Seattle. A PSG win would create a three-way tie at six points each, triggering tiebreaker scenarios. In that case, Atletico would need to have a strong goal difference in head-to-head games, meaning the more goals they score against Botafogo, the better their chances of going through.
What happens if Atletico Madrid and Botafogo tie?
If the match ends in a draw, Atletico’s only hope of advancing is for PSG to lose to Seattle. If PSG win or even draw, Atletico would be eliminated due to an inferior head-to-head result—specifically, their 4–0 loss to the Parisians earlier in the group stage. A draw would leave Atletico with just four points, likely not enough to make the cut.
What happens if Atletico Madrid lose to Botafogo?
If Atletico lose to Botafogo, their journey in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 comes to an end. Even if PSG lose to Seattle, Atletico would finish behind them due to the heavy defeat they suffered in their head-to-head matchup. The margin of defeat wouldn’t matter—the Spanish side would be officially out of contention regardless of the scoreline.