Inter Milan Defeats River Plate 2-0 in 2025 FIFA Club World Cup: Match Highlights and Fallout

Drama in Seattle: Inter Milan Tops River Plate 2-0 to Advance

There was never any shortage of tension or spectacle at Lumen Field in Seattle when Inter Milan faced River Plate in the decisive Group E clash of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The Italian side didn't just win—they sent a message, booking their place in the knockout rounds and sending River Plate packing in dramatic style.

The match kicked off with both teams feeling the pressure. Inter Milan knew a draw would be enough, while River Plate needed a win to stay alive. The stakes were obvious in every tackle and intercepted pass. The explosive atmosphere only ramped up when River Plate's Lucas Martinez Quarta received a straight red card, leaving his side with ten men just as the game was heating up. Until that moment, River Plate looked determined, their fans in the stands refusing to sit down, but the sending-off visibly shifted the momentum in Inter's favor.

Despite a stubborn effort from the Argentinians to hold their ground, Inter eventually broke through. In the 72nd minute, rising star Sebastiano Esposito capitalized on a mistake in River's shaky defense, slamming the ball home to ignite celebrations among Inter supporters. With River desperately pushing forward—even with a man down—the risk paid off for Inter late in stoppage time when Alessandro Bastoni’s header sealed the win. The 2-0 result looked comfortable on paper, but anyone watching knew just how fragile it really was until the closing moments.

The match wasn't without controversy. After the final whistle, chaos erupted on the pitch. Tempers flared, and a scuffle broke out involving several players from both sides—most notably Marcos Acuña and Denzel Dumfries. Security and team officials had to rush in to defuse the situation, showing just how much this match meant to both sets of players. No word yet from FIFA on whether additional disciplinary action will follow, but it’s the kind of incident that keeps fans talking long after the final whistle.

What’s Next for Inter and the Questions Left Behind

For Inter Milan, the victory doesn’t just mean advancing; it signals intent. They topped Group E and avoided a potentially tricky qualification scenario. Their supporters will be dreaming of a deep run, especially after watching how the squad managed the pressure in Seattle’s charged atmosphere. The likes of Inter Milan will now be a team to watch, with their form and discipline—well, until the final whistle—set to be tested further in the knockout stages.

River Plate, on the other hand, will be headed home much sooner than their fans had hoped. The red card and subsequent collapse turned what could have been a memorable night into a heartbreak—a reminder of how quickly a tournament dream can end. Questions about discipline and decision-making will linger around their camp for some time to come.

Fans looking to watch the action found sources thin on specifics for streaming or TV channels. Major FIFA broadcasters and local sports channels usually show Club World Cup matches, but the usual flurry of last-minute links and fan streams circulated online amid murky official listings. So, if you missed it this time, you probably had to dig a little deeper than usual just to catch the drama in real-time.