Seattle: Urawa Red Diamonds were dumped out of the FIFA Club World Cup by Italian giants FC Internazionale Milano after a pair of late goals helped Nerazzurri stage a late comeback to beat Urawa Red 2-1 on Sunday (IST).
Ryoma Watanabe’s early strike looked like it was going to be enough to send shockwaves through the tournament but was captain Lautaro Martinez who rode to Inter’s rescue with a stunning bicycle kick before substitute Valentin Carboni won it in stoppage time.
Despite a bright start, Inter fell behind in the twelfth minute to a goal from Watanabe. Chivu’s men dominated possession throughout a difficult first half but failed to create clear-cut chances.
The second half saw a noticeable shift in intensity. Inter poured forward, piling pressure on Urawa Red Diamonds. At a wet and windy Lumen Field in Seattle, the Japanese side’s resistance finally broke.
A stunning overhead kick from Lautaro Martínez brought Inter level, after which Chivu’s side pushed relentlessly for a winner. Urawa failed to adequately clear a Bastoni cross, Sucic’s effort was blocked, and Valentin Carboni pounced on the loose ball before firing into the bottom corner with his right foot.
Earlier, Borussia Dortmund survived a late scare to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in their Group F encounter at TQL Stadium.
CA River Plate squandered the opportunity to reach the knockout stages after they were held to a goalless draw by Monterrey at the Rose Bowl.
The Argentinian giants needed a victory to reach the Round of 16 but both sides struggled to make any chances in a game littered with fouls and breaks in play.
The draw sets up an exciting final matchday in Group E next Wednesday. River Plate face FC Internazionale Milano in a crunch top-of-the-table clash at Lumen Field, while Monterrey meet the already-eliminated Urawa Red Diamonds back at the Rose Bowl.
Elsewhere, Fluminense FC scored three second-half goals to beat Ulsan HD and earn all three points at MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey. The loss eliminates Ulsan from the FIFA Club World Cup after they were also beaten in their opening encounter with Mamelodi Sundowns FC.
Both teams will play their final group match on Wednesday, 25 June. Fluminense will meet Mamelodi Sundowns at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, while Ulsan will take on Borussia Dortmund at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. Agencies
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