Estêvão twice came close to scoring but Palmeiras would have to settle for a scoreless (yet entertaining) draw in their opening match against FC Porto in a half-full MetLife Stadium at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Palmeiras’ talisman, who will be joining Chelsea at the conclusion of this tournament, just missed the top corner with a first-time shot early on, then somehow failed to convert a tap-in just before half-time. He was at the center of most of Verdão’s attacking forays, drifting left and right across the pitch, looking to cause havoc with the ball. He’s certainly fun to watch when he can get into a creative, inventive, carefree flow.
Surprisingly, the 18-year-old was substituted off just past the hour-mark, but perhaps head coach Abel Ferreira was thinking of their other two games, which they will be expected to win, against Al Ahly and Inter Miami. Those two also played out an entertaining scoreless draw in last night’s tournament-opener.
Elsewhere at the CWC today, [Bayern Munich](https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com) took no mercy on Auckland City, putting ten without reply past the singular OFC representative in this inaugural expanded Club World Cup, and Paris Saint-Germain continued their dominant form by dispatching [Atletico Madrid](https://www.intothecalderon.com), 4-0, with two late goals making the final scoreline a bit more eyebrow-raising than expected.
Botafogo play Seattle Sounders in one more game tonight, then Chelsea swing into action tomorrow.