- Inter Milan defeated River Plate 2-0 in a heated knockout-decider in Seattle.
- Monterrey stormed past Urawa Red Diamonds with a 4-0 victory to reach the last 16.
- South American giants River Plate and Boca Juniors both exit early in shock eliminations.
Inter Milan secured a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup last 16 with a disciplined 2-0 win over a fiery River Plate side. In front of 45,000 fans at Lumen Field, Francesco Esposito scored his first goal for the club, followed by a late strike from Alessandro Bastoni.
Meanwhile, Monterrey put on a show at the Rose Bowl, routing Urawa Red Diamonds 4-0. A stunning long-range goal from Nelson Deossa, a sharp finish from German Berterame, and a thunderous strike by Jesus Corona set the tone in the first half.
Monterrey and Inter Milan Advance as South American Favorites Falter
Despite being Champions League runners-up, Inter found themselves struggling in the first half against River’s high press. Coach Christian Chivu admitted his team was surprised by the intensity but praised their improved second-half performance. The tactical shift proved effective as Inter capitalized on River’s disciplinary lapses to seal their progression.
On the other side, Borussia Dortmund quietly topped Group F after a narrow 1-0 win over Ulsan HD, thanks to Daniel Svensson. With matches played in soaring temperatures of over 36°C, Dortmund coach Niko Kovac commended his squad’s resilience. The Germans now face a confident Monterrey side in what promises to be a physical and tactical clash.
The Club World Cup also highlighted the end of the road for all four African teams, including Mamelodi Sundowns, who fought bravely but fell short. Their draw against Fluminense wasn’t enough, although coach Miguel Cardoso praised his team’s growth. Fluminense now prepare for a challenging match against Inter, adding another Brazil vs Italy chapter to the tournament.
A surprise for fans was the early elimination of both River Plate and Boca Juniors, who carried massive expectations. Despite vibrant fan support and passion-filled performances, neither side could progress past the group stages. Coach Marcelo Gallardo expressed regret, especially for the thousands of River fans who traveled in hopes of glory.
As the knockout stage approaches, the Club World Cup delivers a mix of heartbreak and high drama, reshaping expectations and setting up tantalizing clashes ahead.
“You don’t play football with your feet, you play it with your head.” – Johan Cruyff
