Inter Milan secured their spot in the FIFA Club World Cup last 16 with a 2-0 victory over River Plate, who finished the fiery Group E match with nine men.
The turning point came in the 66th minute when River Plate’s Lucas Martinez Quarta received a red card for denying Henrikh Mkhitaryan a goalscoring opportunity.
Inter capitalized quickly, with 19-year-old Francesco Esposito scoring his first goal for the club in the 72nd minute, assisted by P. Sučić.
As the match wound down, Alessandro Bastoni doubled Inter’s lead in the 93rd minute. The drama continued with River Plate’s Gonzalo Montiel also dismissed in the 95th minute after receiving a second yellow card.
Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu expressed satisfaction, stating, “We have the job done. We qualify for the further stage of this competition. We are pleased with that.”
Inter will now face Brazilian club Fluminense in the last 16 on Monday, July 1st, at 20:00 BST. River Plate’s exit was confirmed as Monterrey secured the other knockout spot in Group E.
