Inter Milan staged a dramatic comeback to secure a 2-1 win over Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in Seattle, keeping their hopes alive in the Club World Cup. The Serie A side looked in danger of a shock exit after Ryoma Watanabe’s early goal gave Urawa the lead, but two late strikes from Lautaro Martinez and youngster Valentin Carboni turned the match on its head.
Inter Milan, still adjusting to life under interim coach Cristian Chivu following Simone Inzaghi’s departure, dominated possession and chances but struggled with poor finishing throughout. Despite creating numerous openings, their failure to convert allowed Urawa to frustrate and nearly eliminate them from the tournament.
Urawa’s Resilience Nearly Stuns the Inter Milan
Urawa, who failed to qualify for this year’s AFC Champions League, stunned the crowd with a beautifully executed counter-attack in the 11th minute. A rapid break saw Watanabe sprint through the right channel before coolly finishing past Inter keeper Emil Audero to put the underdogs ahead.
Despite Inter Milan’s control—boasting 82% possession in the first half—they were repeatedly thwarted in the final third. Martinez hit the crossbar with a powerful header and Kristjan Asllani saw four attempts blocked or wayward. Urawa remained composed in defense, disciplined in shape, and dangerous on the break, with Watanabe wasting a golden five-on-three opportunity late in the game.
Martinez Magic and Carboni’s Breakthrough Deliver Late Drama
With time running out and Inter trailing, Lautaro Martinez pulled off a moment of brilliance in the 77th minute. From a corner, the Inter Milan captain executed a stunning overhead kick to level the match, finally breaking through Urawa’s valiant resistance.
As Urawa hung on desperately in the final minutes, substitute Valentin Carboni made his mark. The 20-year-old pounced on a loose rebound in the second minute of stoppage time, slotting home his first goal for the club to seal a dramatic victory. The win sparked wild celebrations from Inter Milan players and fans alike, while Urawa’s exhausted squad were left heartbroken.
OGMNewsFC.COM
Martinez and Carboni Rescue Inter Late in Club World Cup Thriller
Despite the final scoreline, the statistics highlighted how close Urawa came to pulling off a famous upset. The Japanese side had just 18% of the ball and completed only 113 passes compared to Inter’s commanding 746. Yet they were more clinical early on, converting two of their four shots on target, while Inter Milan labored to convert just four of their 26 efforts.
It was the 26th shot that ultimately settled the contest, with no Urawa defender tracking Carboni during the decisive moment. It was a cruel end for a side that executed its game plan with precision for most of the night.
What Lies Ahead: Group Finale Awaits
Inter Milan now sit second in Group E with four points from two games, level with Argentina’s River Plate but behind on goal difference. Their final group match against River Plate on Thursday (02:00 BST) will decide who tops the group and secures a potentially easier path to the knockout stage.
For Urawa Red Diamonds, the dream ends here. Bottom of the group with no points, their final match against Monterrey will be one of pride rather than progression. Nevertheless, their spirited performance against European heavyweights showed why no team can be taken lightly on the world stage.
