Inter Milan secured first place in Group E at the FIFA Club World Cup with a 2-0 win over River Plate in Seattle. The result knocked the Argentine side out of the tournament, while Inter celebrated just their second clean sheet in six matches.
The match started slowly, with lots of tackles but very few chances. River Plate’s Franco Mastantuono had an early shot saved by Yann Sommer, but Inter soon grew into the game. Francesco Pio Esposito had a shot blocked at close range by Gonzalo Martínez, and Lautaro Martínez then fired wide. Esposito stayed involved, trying to drive his team forward again, but his volley was blocked bravely by Paulo Díaz, who went down hard in the process.
After half-time, Inter continued to push and had four chances in quick succession. Lautaro Martínez hit the post under pressure from Marcos Acuña, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan was then denied by two defenders. Federico Dimarco missed the rebound, and Franco Armani later made a strong save to stop Martínez once more.
River brought on two substitutes just after the hour mark, and briefly threatened when Facundo Colidio headed a cross straight at Sommer. But moments later, River were reduced to ten men after Lucas Martínez Quarta brought down Mkhitaryan when he was through on goal, a clear red card.
Inter finally broke the deadlock with 20 minutes left. After River lost the ball, Mkhitaryan broke forward and set up Esposito, who calmly slotted the ball into the far corner to score his first goal for Inter. From then on, the result looked certain. In stoppage time, Alessandro Bastoni made a brilliant solo run and finished coolly to make it 2-0.
There was still time for some late drama, as Gonzalo Montiel was sent off after picking up a second yellow card. Inter now move on to face Fluminense in the Round of 16, a very winnable tie. As for River Plate, they go home disappointed, still without a goal against a European team at the Club World Cup, and will see this as a big missed chance.
