By Mohamed Islam Bouteraa

PASADENA, CA — In a back-and-forth game of desperation and defiance, Atlético Madrid left everything on the pitch—only to get agonizingly close without quite getting it done. A thrilling 1-0 win over Botafogo was not enough to stay in the Club World Cup, as the Spanish powerhouses became the first from the European delegation to fall. Antoine Griezmann's 87th-minute strike transported the away faithful into raptures, but at the final whistle, the bitter reality was starkly apparent: Atlético were flying home.

A Night of VAR Drama and Missed Opportunities

Atlético played right from the start like a team with a purpose. They had to win by three to have any hopes of qualifying, and they threw themselves forward en masse, but Botafogo—tactically well-organized and stubborn—would not concede. The Brazilians came close to landing a sucker blow early when Jefferson Savarino was left one-on-one, but Jan Oblak prevented Atlético from paying the ultimate price with a lightning-fast reflex save.

On the flip side, chances went and were spurned. Julián Álvarez, usually so accurate, pirouetted beautifully in the box but sliced his effort inches wide. And then, deep into stoppage time in the first half, controversy struck. VAR reviewed for a potential penalty against Atlético, only for the referee to book Alexander Sørloth instead for tripping a defender in the build-up. The call left Diego Simeone reduced to hot head-tired tantrums on the sideline, his team still awaiting that goal they so badly desired.

Griezmann Brings Hope—But Time Passes

The second half was siege warfare in the truest sense. Griezmann forced Botafogo goalkeeper John to make a save from his attempt after a quick cut inside. Sørloth, giant-like in the box, headed a shot just wide of the post. Each avoided opportunity raised the tension.
Then, with just three minutes on the clock, the moment at last arrived. Ángel Correa's shot was blocked, but the ball fell to Griezmann, who struck in with his left foot. The bench of Atlético erupted. The stadium exploded. For one fleeting moment, the impossible had appeared possible.
But time was the enemy. Atlético played everyone forward—Oblak even came up for a late corner—yet Botafogo's exhausted but not broken defense kept everything at bay. When the final whistle blew, the Brazilians were celebrating as if they'd won, while the Atlético players collapsed to the turf in despair.

The Fine Margins That Sent Atlético Home

It all came down to that disastrous first game—a 4-0 thrashing by PSG that reduced Atlético's goal difference to tatters. Though they defeated Botafogo and Seattle Sounders, that single thrashing defeat was the knockout punch. Botafogo, meanwhile, just managed to scrape through, advancing on goal difference to set up a thrilling all-Brazilian clash with Palmeiras in the following stage.

The Human Story

It was a game of what-ifs for Atlético. They dominated possession (63%), out-shot Botafogo 23-7, and crafted the more-crafted opportunities—and football does not always reward endeavor. 

Simeone's team will head back on their plane to Madrid pondering what might have been had just one more gone in.

For Botafogo, it was a night of raw resolve. They rode their luck, weathered the pressure, and hung on. John's four crucial saves, including a breathtaking last shot stop on a Griezmann curler, made him the hero. Now, they carry on, outsiders again but with big dreams.

As the sun dipped below the Rose Bowl, the juxtaposition was stark. Atlético players departed, their World Cup aspiration in tatters. Botafogo's side embraced their supporters, knowing that they had just achieved something special.

Football, as always, was merciless to some and resplendent to others.