Palmeiras beat Botafogo to reach CWC quarters
PA Media/dpa
London
Palmeiras edged out Brazilian rivals Botafogo 1-0 after extra-time on Saturday from Paulinho's winner to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup.
There was little to chose between the two South American sides as the opening tie of the knockout stage proved a cagey affair at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
At the end of the first half, Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios forced Botafogo goalkeeper John Victor into a flying save from his rising drive.
Chelsea-bound Palmeiras forward Estevao saw a goal ruled out for offside five minutes into the second half, before Victor tipped over a glancing header from Mauricio.
After neither side could find a breakthrough in normal time, Botafogo goalkeeper Victor produced another fine stop at full stretch to palm away Rios' 20-yard strike.
Palmeiras made the decisive breakthrough in the 10th minute of extra-time when substitute Paulinho cut into the penalty area from the right and clipped a low shot into the far corner.
Botafogo - who finished second in Group B, having recorded a shock 1-0 win over European champions Paris Saint Germain - carved out an opening early in the second period of extra-time when Igor Jesus headed over and Vitinho then crashed a volley wide at the far post.
Palmeiras were reduced to 10 men with four minutes remaining when captain Gustavo Gomez was shown a second yellow card following an off-the-ball tussle with Botafogo defender Alexander Barboza.
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