River Plate Falls at Club World Cup After Red Card Costs Momentum
River Plate was eliminated from the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup after a 2–0 loss to Inter Milan on June 25 in Seattle. Despite battling with ten men following a second-half red card, River couldn't find an equalizer and will exit the Group E stage.
River started strong but lost Lucas Martínez Quarta to a red card at 66' after a foul halted an Inter counterattack. Six minutes later, 19-year-old Francesco Pio Esposito found the net for Inter, shifting the game's momentum. Alvarez deepened the draw during stoppage time, securing the victory.
Manager Marcelo Gallardo acknowledged the dismissal changed the outcome:
“Unfortunately, the red card prevented us from seeing the end with a chance, despite our effort”
He emphasized their competitive effort in the first half—even with key midfielders out due to suspension—but noted the deficit when playing down a man.
Group E Standings & Implications
- Inter Milan tops Group E with 7 points, moving to face Fluminense in the next round.
- Monterrey sits second with 5 points, boosted by a decisive win earlier in the day.
- River Plate finishes third with 4 points and exits the tournament.
- Boca Juniors, Argentina’s other representative, was also eliminated in the group stage after a draw with Auckland City.
Key Moments
- River created multiple opportunities early, including a near miss after a corner from Manuel Lanzini.
- Inter's Lautaro Martínez struck the woodwork twice before the red card shifted momentum.
- Tensions flared late, with another River player sent off and a minor scuffle erupting.
This defeat caps a shaky Club World Cup for River Plate, eliminated amid disciplinary issues and an untimely red card. Despite solid performance in the first half, competing in a tough group without full-strength squad proved too much.
