Inter Milan scored two late goals to secure a 2-0 victory over ten-man River Plate on Wednesday, a win that sees them advance to the knockout stages of the FIFA Club World Cup as Group E winners and eliminates the Argentine club from the tournament.
After a tense and scoreless 70 minutes, the match turned in Inter’s favour when River Plate defender Lucas Martinez Quarta was sent off for bringing down Henrikh Mkhitaryan as the last man. The Italian side capitalised on their numerical advantage just seven minutes later when teenage substitute Francesco Esposito controlled a pass from Petar Sucic and fired a powerful shot into the net to break the deadlock.
Defender Alessandro Bastoni sealed the victory five minutes into stoppage time, skipping through a tired River Plate defence before finishing with a low left-footed strike.
“We have the job done. We qualify for the further stage of this competition. We are pleased with that,” said Inter coach Cristian Chivu. “The game was very tough for us in the first half, River had a lot of aggression, a lot of intensity. In the second half, we controlled the game a little bit better and… after the red card it was much easier for us.”
The match ended in acrimonious scenes after Bastoni’s goal, with River Plate’s Gonzalo Montiel also receiving a red card for two yellow cards amidst several melees.
In front of a passionate, packed crowd of River Plate supporters at Lumen Field, both sides had chances. River’s Facundo Colidio missed a clear headed opportunity, while Inter captain Lautaro Martinez was particularly wasteful, hitting the post with his best chance.
The result means Inter Milan top the group and will now face Brazilian club Fluminense in the last 16 in Charlotte on Monday. Monterrey, who defeated Urawa Red Diamonds 4-0 in the group’s other fixture, progress as runners-up, finishing one point ahead of the eliminated River Plate.
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