Inter Wins with a Man Advantage, Eliminating River Plate from the Club World Cup | OneFootball

The second Argentine club is out of the Club World Cup. Inter faced and eliminated River Plate from the tournament. The Argentines made it tough for the Italians in the first half, which ended goalless. However, it was in the final 45 minutes that Gallardo's team was reduced to ten men and conceded two goals, bidding farewell to the tournament just like Boca Juniors. Final score, 2-0.

While River returns to Argentina, Inter focuses on the next match in the round of 16. The Nerazzurri will face Fluminense on Monday (30).

River makes it tough for the Italians

Inter exploited the flanks of the pitch to create chances, with Dumfries and Dimarco pushing forward. River, on the other hand, pressed higher to disrupt the Italians' build-up and tried to work the ball through the central area of the field, with Mastantuono being frequently involved.

In a game with a high tempo and slight Argentine superiority, both teams sought an early goal. Asllani received the ball just outside the box and unleashed a powerful shot, but it went over the crossbar. Mastantuono responded by shaking off his marker and shooting from distance, only for Sommer to make the save.

Although the Nerazzurri were initially dominant, the Millonarios began to gain momentum around the 20-minute mark. However, the match became more congested, and the main news was about the Mexican goals in the match between Monterrey and Urawa Reds.

Even with the South Americans' improved performance, Chivu's men continued to pose the greater threat on the pitch. Mkhitaryan evaded his marker with a fine dribble and found Lautaro in depth, who controlled the ball and shot low, but narrowly missed the target.

Inter gains a man advantage and punishes

Eliminated by this result, combined with Monterrey's ongoing victory, River had to push forward against Inter. However, the Italians responded with a swift counter-attack: five minutes in, Lautaro made a great solo run, broke into the box and shot low across the goal, but the ball hit the post and was collected by the goalkeeper.

Inter's number 10 made another fine play and nearly scored, but this time it was Armani who saved. Launched at speed down the right, Lautaro broke into the box, cut past the defence, and shot powerfully with his left foot, but the River goalkeeper was alert and made a great save.

If life was difficult for Gallardo's men, it became even harder at the 20-minute mark. Mkhitaryan was launched at speed and was one-on-one with Armani, but Martínez Quarta came in with a sliding tackle and brought down the Armenian. The result was inevitable: a red card for the defender and River were down to ten men.

The Italian goal, which seemed only a matter of time, finally came. Although Lautaro was the most involved, it was Esposito who scored: at 26, Sucic broke into the area from the left and served the Italian striker in the middle, who evaded his marker and shot low into the corner, hitting the net.

In stoppage time, Bastoni delivered the final blow to the Argentines. Bastoni received the ball from Barella on the left, took on the defence, left two defenders behind, and from outside the box, shot low into the corner, leaving no chance for Armani. Victory confirmed, 2-0.