FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Inter Milan Knock Out River Plate To Enter Last 16

Inter Milan scored twice in the last 18 minutes to beat River Plate 2-0 on Wednesday and progress to the knockout stage of the Club World Cup as Group E winners and send the Argentines home. Francesco Esposito scored UEFA Champions League finalists Inter's first goal seven minutes after River had been reduced to 10 men by the dismissal of Lucas Martínez Quarta, and Alessandro Bastoni added the second in stoppage time. The 19-year-old Esposito scored in just his second career appearance for Inter, having found the net 17 times on loan with Spezia in Serie B last season. Bastoni's rare late foray into the opponent's box assured Inter won the group on seven points. The 20-time Italian champions will face Fluminense -- one of four Brazilian clubs to advance to the round of 16 -- next in Charlotte on Monday, with Monterrey, who beat Urawa Red Diamonds 4-0, going through in second place, a point ahead of River.

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Updated on: 26 June 2025 4:31 pm

Fifa CWC 2025 Group E match Inter Milan vs River Plate in Seattle pics

FIFA Club World Cup: Inter Milan vs River Plate | Photo: AP/Ryan Sun

River Plate fans react following the Club World Cup Group E soccer match between Inter Milan and River Plate in Seattle.

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Fifa CWC 2025 Group E match Inter Milan vs River Plate in Seattle: Alessandro Bastoni

FIFA Club World Cup: Inter Milan vs River Plate | Photo: AP/Ryan Sun

Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni, top left, is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the Club World Cup Group E soccer match between Inter Milan and River Plate in Seattle.

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FIFA Club World Cup: Inter Milan vs River Plate | Photo: AP/Lindsey Wasson

Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni scores his teams's second goal during the Club World Cup Group E soccer match between Inter Milan and River Plate in Seattle.

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Fifa CWC 2025 Group E match Inter Milan vs River Plate in Seattle: Francesco Pio Esposito

FIFA Club World Cup: Inter Milan vs River Plate | Photo: AP/Ryan Sun

Inter Milan's Francesco Pio Esposito, centre, celebrates with teammates Petar Sucic, top, and Lautaro Martinez after scoring his team's first goal during the Club World Cup Group E soccer match between Inter Milan and River Plate in Seattle.

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FIFA Club World Cup: Inter Milan vs River Plate | Photo: AP/Lindsey Wasson

Inter Milan's Francesco Pio Esposito celebrates after scoring the game's first goal during the Club World Cup Group E soccer match between Inter Milan and River Plate in Seattle.

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FIFA Club World Cup: Inter Milan vs River Plate | Photo: AP/Lindsey Wasson

Inter Milan's Francesco Pio Esposito scores the game's first goal during the Club World Cup Group E soccer match between Inter Milan and River Plate in Seattle.

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Fifa CWC 2025 Group E match Inter Milan vs River Plate in Seattle: Lucas Martinez Quarta

FIFA Club World Cup: Inter Milan vs River Plate | Photo: AP/Lindsey Wasson

River Plate's Lucas Martinez Quarta tackles Inter Milan's Henrikh Mkhitaryan and gets a red card during the Club World Cup Group E soccer match between Inter Milan and River Plate in Seattle.

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Fifa CWC 2025 Group E match Inter Milan vs River Plate in Seattle: Henrikh Mkhitaryan

FIFA Club World Cup: Inter Milan vs River Plate | Photo: AP/Lindsey Wasson

River Plate's Lucas Martinez Quarta tackles Inter Milan's Henrikh Mkhitaryan and gets a red card during the Club World Cup Group E soccer match between Inter Milan and River Plate in Seattle.

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Fifa CWC 2025 Group E match Inter Milan vs River Plate in Seattle: Rodrigo Aliendro

FIFA Club World Cup: Inter Milan vs River Plate | Photo: AP/Lindsey Wasson

River Plate's Rodrigo Aliendro gets tangles with Inter Milan's Kristjan Asllani during the Club World Cup Group E soccer match between Inter Milan and River Plate in Seattle.

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Fifa CWC 2025 Group E match Inter Milan vs River Plate in Seattle: Francesco Acerbi

FIFA Club World Cup: Inter Milan vs River Plate | Photo: AP/Ryan Sun

Inter Milan's Francesco Acerbi kicks at the ball as River Plate's Miguel Borja, left, reacts during the Club World Cup Group E soccer match between Inter Milan and River Plate in Seattle.