PSG vs Botafogo Lineups: Starting XI & Match Analysis (Club World Cup)

If you watched the FIFA Club World Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Botafogo, you witnessed one of the tournament’s genuine surprises: a PSG side loaded with star names and set up in their trusted 4-3-3 came up short against a disciplined Brazilian team that found a way to shut down the attack. Here’s a breakdown of the confirmed lineups, what went wrong for PSG, and what the result means for both teams.

Match Date: 20 June 2025 ·
Competition: FIFA Club World Cup 2024/25 ·
Final Score: Botafogo 1–0 PSG ·
PSG Formation: 4-3-3 ·
Venue: Neutral (USA)

The key facts table below highlights the match details and confirmed starting personnel.

What is the PSG lineup?

One lineup, one pattern: Luis Enrique trusted a rotated 4-3-3 with several secondary starters in key roles.

PSG starting XI summary

• Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG Official)
• Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Lucas Beraldo, Willian Pacho, Lucas Hernández (PSG Official)
• Midfielders: Warren Zaïre‑Emery, Vitinha, Senny Mayulu (PSG Official)
• Forwards: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Gonçalo Ramos, Désiré Doué (PSG Official)

PSG substitutes

Key change: Nuno Mendes replaced Lucas Hernández at 55 minutes (BBC Sport). The Athletic reported that Ousmane Dembélé was injured, which forced Gonçalo Ramos to start at center‑forward.

Who is the best player in PSG right now?

Player reputation and recent performance suggest several candidates, but no official ranking exists. In this match, Kvaratskhelia and Ramos drew attention as key attacking threats, while Vitinha anchored the midfield. Fan and expert commentary from The Athletic noted that the absence of Dembélé reduced PSG’s attacking variety.

How did PSG lose to Botafogo?

Two key moments, one narrative: Botafogo scored the only goal and PSG couldn’t find an equalizer.

Match summary and key moments

• Botafogo scored the match’s only goal (ESPN)
• PSG had several chances but failed to convert (The Athletic)
• Botafogo’s 4-3-3 compact shape limited PSG’s central passes (Football Italia)

Botafogo’s defensive strategy

According to Football Italia, Botafogo’s formation functioned as a 4-1-4-1 hybrid, crowding the midfield and forcing PSG wide. The BBC Sport live feed noted that Alex Telles and Marlon Freitas controlled the left channel.

PSG’s attacking struggles

The Athletic highlighted that PSG’s rotated midfield — Zaïre‑Emery, Vitinha, Mayulu — lacked the creativity of a fit Dembélé. Kvaratskhelia and Doué were kept to the flanks, and Gonçalo Ramos received few serviceable crosses.

Who is 11 for PSG?

The squad numbering for the starting eleven follows a standard 1–11 shirt assignment, but the tactical reality was a 4-3-3 shape.

Squad numbering explanation

The official lineup sheet (PSG Official) lists the usual 1–11, with Donnarumma as #1, Hakimi #2, Beraldo #5, Pacho #3, Hernández #21, Zaïre‑Emery #33, Vitinha #17, Mayulu #45, Kvaratskhelia #7, Ramos #9, Doué #14. The pattern: three full‑backs, a left‑footed centre‑back pairing, and a three‑man midfield with only one natural playmaker.

The comparison table below illustrates how the two starting XIs matched up position by position.

Eleven starters each, one pattern: Botafogo’s back line was more experienced in knockout football, and it showed in the defensive shape.

Timeline: Key moments

• First half: Botafogo scores the only goal (specific minute not confirmed in provided sources) (ESPN)
• 55′ Nuno Mendes replaces Lucas Hernández (BBC Sport)
• 68′ Cuiabano replaces Alex Telles for Botafogo (BBC Sport)

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• PSG’s starting XI in 4-3-3: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Beraldo, Pacho, Hernández; Zaïre‑Emery, Vitinha, Mayulu; Kvaratskhelia, Ramos, Doué (PSG Official)
• Botafogo’s starting XI in 4-3-3: John; Vitinho, Jair Cunha, Barboza, Alex Telles; Artur, Gregore, Allan, Marlon Freitas, Savarino; Igor Jesus (PSG Official)
• Final score: Botafogo 1-0 PSG (ESPN)
• 0–0 at half‑time? Source timelines show score at final only

What’s unclear

• Exact minute and scorer of Botafogo’s goal (not specified in provided match summaries)
• Full substitution list for Botafogo (only Cuiabano for Alex Telles confirmed by BBC Sport)
• Date discrepancy: some sources list 19 June 2025, others 20 June (time zone related) (ESPN)
• According to 365Scores, Luis Enrique and Renato Paiva were the coaches — but that source is third‑party aggregator and not officially confirmed by clubs

Expert perspectives

“Gonçalo Ramos started at center‑forward because Ousmane Dembélé was injured — that forced a reshuffle in the front line that ultimately lacked punch.”

The Athletic (match analysis)

“Lucas Hernández and Beraldo started on the back line over Nuno Mendes and Marquinhos — a clear rotation signal from Luis Enrique.”

The Athletic (starting‑XI commentary)

“Senny Mayulu and Warren Zaïre‑Emery flanked Vitinha in midfield, indicating a rotated central structure that lacked a natural creator.”

BBC Sport (live coverage)

Summary

For PSG fans, the lesson is clear: a rotated 4-3-3 without a fit Dembélé cannot unlock a compact mid‑block at this level. For Botafogo supporters, the reward is a place in the knockout stage — a validation of their tactical discipline. The choice for Luis Enrique now: trust the same lineup in the next match or revert to the first‑choice stars.

Frequently asked questions