Inter beat 10-man River to top Group E

FC Internazionale Milano 2-0 CA River Plate | Group E

Goal: Francesco Esposito (72), Alessandro Bastoni (90+3)

Second-half goals by Francesco Esposito and Alessandro Bastoni gave FC Internazionale Milano a 2-0 victory against 10-man CA River Plate at Lumen Field in Seattle, sealing top spot in Group E and a spot in the last 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.

Inter will now face Group F runners-up Fluminense FC in Charlotte on 30 June. CF Monterrey pipped River to second in Group E and will take on Borussia Dortmund in Atlanta on 1 July.

With Monterrey scoring three first-half goals to take control in their win against Urawa Red Diamonds, Inter and River were left to battle for Group E's remaining spot in the Round of 16.

Inter created their first real chance in the 26th minute when Esposito was played into space in the box but had his shot blocked by Lucas Martinez Quarta. They had another good look at goal in the 32nd minute, but Lautaro Martinez pulled his strike wide of the far post.

River continued their stout defending to keep the match scoreless at the break. Just before half-time, Inter’s Federico Dimarco fired a dangerous cross at the near post, but center-back Paulo Diaz made a lunging clearance to prevent Esposito from getting a toe on the ball.

River threatened the Inter goal in the 49th minute after Miguel Borja was fouled by Acerbi just outside the penalty area. Franco Mastantuono whipped in a free-kick and then an equally dangerous cross to force emergency clearances.

Inter followed by turning up the pressure. The Italian side produced a stream of chances, the best coming in the 52nd minute when Diaz blocked Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s shot and in the 55th minute when goalkeeper Franco Armani denied Martinez’s close-range attempt.

River was reduced to 10 men in the 65th minute. Mkhitaryan ran onto Denzel Dumfries’s long ball to break away but was taken down by Quarta, who was sent off for the denial of a goalscoring opportunity.

The Inter breakthrough came seven minutes later. Substitute Petar Sucic played in Esposito, who had plenty of time in the box to blast his shot inside the right post.

Alessandro Bastoni made it 2-0 Inter with a stunning strike three minutes into stoppage time as the Italians made sure of finishing first and booking that Charlotte showdown with Fluminense.

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Quotes

"The most important thing is we have got the job done. We have qualified. It was a game that was very tough in the first half. In the second half we controlled the game better. We controlled the space better and, after the red card [for Lucas Martinez Quarta], it was much easier for us."
Cristian Chivu, Inter coach

"I still haven't realized what just happened. When I scored, I started screaming, and when I saw Lautaro [Martinez] running toward me, I thought, 'It’s real.' It’s the result of so many years of hard work and sacrifice. I’m incredibly emotional."
Francesco Esposito, Inter forward

"They are physically strong. Technically, they are good. We played the game that we wanted, that we had to play. Unfortunately, the [red card] did not allow us to reach the end with some chances... It's a shame, a shame for all these people who have come to support the team, that we could not give them the chance to continue."
Marcelo Gallardo, River head coach

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Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match

Francesco Esposito (FC Internazionale Milano)