Botafogo score early, hold off Sounders at Club World Cup

Botafogo was not intimidated by the home crowd and used first-half goals by Jair Cunha and Igor Jesus to hold off the host Seattle Sounders, 2-1, in the Group B opener for each in the Club World Cup on Sunday night.

Cunha scored in the 28th minute and Igor Jesus doubled the score in the 44th. Seattle's Cristian Roldan made it 2-1 in the 75th minute.

The 20-year-old Cunha used his 6-foot-6 frame for a header off a free kick from the right side by Alex Telles. Jesus also scored on a header via a cross by Vitinho while Roldan's goal deflected off Jesus.

Seattle, which qualified for the tournament by winning the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League, was denied the tying goal in the final seconds of the four minutes of stoppage time when John saved a try by Pedro de la Vega.

On Thursday, Seattle plays the second of its three group-stage matches at home against Atletico Madrid while Botafogo meets Paris Saint-Germain in Pasadena, Calif.

Botafogo, the reigning Brazilian champion and the winner of the 2024 Copa Libertadores as the best team in South America, came out strong.

The first goal was set up by Botafogo's Artur goading Nouhou Tolo into a yellow-card foul a few yards outside the box and to the right of the goal. It was a perfect spot for Telles' pinpoint, left-footed cross to Cunha.

Jesus was the beneficiary of a service by Vitinho from the right flank to make it 2-0 as goalkeeper Stefan Frei was caught leaning toward the left post as the ball from Jesus went the opposite way.

The Sounders finally came to life around the hour mark when Albert Rusnak's shot was saved by John before Jackson Ragen had a glorious open look straight on but misfired to the right.

It took some luck but Roldan cut the deficit in half when his diving header was redirected off Jesus and past John.

Seattle led in shot attempts 23-12 but Botafogo had six of the 11 shots on goal.

--Field Level Media