Inter Capitalize on River’s Frustrations, Win 2-0 to Clinch Club World Cup Knockout Spot

The meeting of River Plate and Inter Milan in Seattle was more than a group-stage fixture; it was more of a play-in. Each arrived on four points, knowing that victory translated straight into qualification to the Round of 16, while anything less risked the exit door. That scenario produced a fascinating duel between two top teams.

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River Plate came out flying. They pushed high, forced Inter to play long balls into their forwards, and kept the ball for long spells. Yet for all that energy, they produced only one shot that Yann Sommer saved easily. Inter’s response was patience: wing-backs slid into a five-man line, Henrikh Mkhitaryan dropped to pick up the ball, gradually slowing the rhythm of River’s press, and the Italians waited for spaces to open. The half ended 0-0, with River on top statistically but without a goal to show for it.

The second half began with Inter being more of the aggressor. A five-minute swing changed everything. Just past the 20-minute mark in the second half, River centre-back Lucas Martínez Quarta, caught wrong-side of Mkhitaryan, brought the Armenian down and was dismissed as last defender. From the resulting reset, 19-year-old Francesco Pio Esposito ghosted off Nicolás de la Cruz, met Petar Sucic’s diagonal cut-back, and finished inside the far post. Inter led, River was a man light, and the momentum had flipped in Inter's favor.

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Inter kept the ball, made River chase, and almost added a second when Lautaro Martínez hit the post. In stoppage time, centre-back Alessandro Bastoni dribbled through two defenders—nutmegging the second—and finished low past Franco Armani for 2-0.

Frustration boiled over late. River full-back Gonzalo Montiel was sent off in stoppage time for dissent, bringing their total to nine men. At the whistle, Marcos Acuña chased Inter’s Denzel Dumfries toward the tunnel, and some angry fans threw plastic glasses from the stands before security calmed things down. A chaotic end to an intense game.

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Inter top Group E with seven points and head to Charlotte to face Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense; River, left on four, exit a tournament that had seemed within reach when the evening began. For Gallardo, the inquest will focus on discipline and finishing. For Inter, the takeaway is starker: after the heartbreak of Paris, they remain a side that can suffer, adapt, and be decisive in key moments, as they have shown so far in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Key Tactical Takeaways

1. River’s Early Press Tested Inter

The Argentinian side chased high up the field in a 4-3-3, forcing Inter to clear long balls and stopping the Italians from building from the back.

2. Inter Was Content to Defend with a Five-Man Back Line

When River attacked, wing-backs Dimarco and Dumfries dropped alongside the three centre-backs to form a solid wall. That compact shape soaked up pressure until Inter could counter.

3. Martínez Quarta’s Red Card Flipped the Match

River’s centre-back pulled down Henrikh Mkhitaryan as the last defender and was sent off in the 21st minute. Playing a man up opened space for Inter, and six minutes later 19-year-old Francesco Pio Esposito scored the first goal.

4. Inter Closed the Game Like Veterans

After going ahead, the Nerazzurri slowed the pace, recycled possession, and finally sealed the 2-0 when centre-back Alessandro Bastoni dribbled through two men to score.