(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Inter Milan Secure Knockout Spot at FIFA Club World Cup with 2-0 Win Over River Plate
SEATTLE – Inter Milan have advanced to the knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 after a confident 2-0 victory over Argentina’s River Plate at Lumen Field on June 25, clinching the top spot in
Group E.
Late Goals Seal the Win
The match remained tense and goalless until the 72nd minute, when Francesco Pio Esposito broke the deadlock. The breakthrough came shortly after River Plate’s Lucas MartÃnez Quarta received a red card for denying Henrikh Mkhitaryan a clear scoring chance.
Esposito calmly collected a perfectly timed through ball from Petar Sucic, took a clever touch, and fired a powerful shot past River Plate goalkeeper Franco Armani to give Inter the lead.
Inter secured the win in stoppage time, with Alessandro Bastoni capping off a brilliant solo run with a composed left-footed finish, making it 2-0.
Heated Finish and Crowd Trouble
The match ended in controversy as Gonzalo Montiel of River Plate received his second yellow card, reducing the side to nine men. Tempers flared in the closing moments, and there were reports of objects thrown from the crowd as players exited the field.
River Plate’s Missed Chances
Despite flashes of promise—particularly from 17-year-old Franco Mastantuono—River Plate failed to find the back of the net. Facundo Colidio had a golden opportunity in the 64th minute, but his header went straight into the hands of Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer.
River Plate struggled to retain possession and lost momentum after going a man down. Inter, in contrast, maintained composure and controlled the game with effective ball movement and patience.
Monterrey Also Advance
In another Group E match, Monterrey cruised to a 4-0 win over Urawa Red Diamonds, securing their own place in the knockout stage. Monterrey will now face Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals.
Next Steps:
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Inter Milan await their opponent in the knockout round as group winners.
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Monterrey prepare for a high-stakes clash with European powerhouse Borussia Dortmund.
Stay tuned for more Club World Cup 2025 updates, scores, and match highlights.
