Inter Milan Stuns River Plate 2-0 to Secure Club World Cup Knockout Spot After Fiery Clash

Red Cards and High Drama as Inter Milan Ousts River Plate

Seattle’s Lumen Field was buzzing on June 25, 2025, as Inter Milan edged River Plate 2-0 in a FIFA Club World Cup showdown no one will forget soon. The win didn’t just hand Inter a trip to the next round—it sent Argentinian giants River Plate packing in heartbreaking, chaotic fashion.

The game started with both teams playing it safe, not willing to show their hand too soon. But things quickly escalated as tensions ran high. The first serious spark flew when River Plate's Lucas Martínez Quarta was issued a straight red in the 65th minute following a reckless challenge. Down to 10 men, River’s strategy unraveled fast. Inter sensed their chance, and they didn’t let up.

Just seven minutes after the ejection, 19-year-old Francesco Pio Esposito found himself in the perfect spot to nudge Inter ahead with a powerful finish. The momentum was completely with the Italians now. River tried to regroup, but just couldn’t match Inter’s energy with a man disadvantage. Their frustrations peaked when Gonzalo Montiel picked up a second yellow card, leaving River with only nine players and aspirations in tatters.

Adding salt to the wound, Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni fired in a stoppage-time goal that settled the contest for good. The Argentine players couldn’t prevent it and showed the strain in the final minutes, frequently arguing with both the referee and each other. The match ended 2-0, the scoreboard not quite capturing the intensity on the pitch.

Tempers Flare After the Whistle

As if the two red cards and tough loss weren’t enough, things boiled over immediately after the final whistle. Inter’s Denzel Dumfries clashed with River Plate’s Marcos Acuña, and a brawl threatened to get out of hand until teammates intervened. Security stepped in quickly but not before both sides exchanged heated words and shoves. Several players could face further disciplinary action once the footage is reviewed.

With this win, Inter Milan cemented their dominance in Group E and kept their Club World Cup hopes alive, heading into the knockout rounds with serious momentum. For River Plate fans, though, it’s all about what might have been—a promising campaign cut short by indiscipline and a night gone awry in Seattle.

The post-match fallout, moments of magic by Inter’s young talent, and high stakes on display made this more than just a soccer match. For both clubs, June 25, 2025, will stick in the memory for years to come.