Inter Milan and Monterrey have successfully advanced to the Last 16 of the Club World Cup, following dramatic victories that eliminated tournament favorites River Plate and Urawa Red Diamonds.
In a tension-filled encounter at Lumen Field in Seattle, Inter Milan defeated nine-man River Plate 2-0 in front of 45,000 fans. The match turned fiery after Lucas Martinez and Gonzalo Montiel were both sent off for reckless fouls, handing Inter a numerical advantage.
Teenage forward Francesco Esposito scored his first goal for Inter, breaking the deadlock just minutes after Martinez’s red card. Defender Alessandro Bastoni sealed the win late in the second half.
“In the first half we were surprised by their intensity and pressure,” said Inter coach Christian Chivu. “In the second half, we raised our level. We’re strong, confident, and ready for this challenge.”
The loss saw River Plate crash out of the competition, sparking ugly scenes as angry fans threw objects at Inter players exiting the pitch. Despite the passionate support from Argentine fans, both River Plate and Boca Juniors have now exited the tournament.
Over in Pasadena, Monterrey cruised to a 4-0 win over Urawa Red Diamonds, topping Group E. The match saw stunning goals from Nelson Deossa, German Berterame, and Jesus Corona, who each scored long-range screamers.
Monterrey will now face Borussia Dortmund, who narrowly defeated Ulsan HD 1-0 to top Group F. Inter Milan will clash with Fluminense in Charlotte on Monday.
The Club World Cup continues Thursday with blockbuster fixtures featuring Manchester City vs Juventus and Real Madrid vs RB Salzburg, as European powerhouses battle for dominance.
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