Italian giants Inter Milan staged a sensational late comeback to defeat Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds 2–1 in an intense Group E encounter at the FIFA Club World Cup. Despite falling behind in the first half to a quick goal by Ryoma Watanabe, Inter struck twice in the final minutes through Lautaro Martínez and young prodigy Valentín Carboni, keeping their qualification hopes alive and thrilling fans with a dramatic finish.
First-Half Shock: Watanabe Stuns Inter
The match exploded into life in the 11th minute when Urawa Red Diamonds opened the scoring. A swift breakaway down the right flank caught Inter’s defense off-guard, culminating in Ryoma Watanabe calmly placing the ball past goalkeeper Yann Sommer. The early goal electrified the modest yet passionate Japanese fanbase inside Lumen Field.
Despite dominating possession and territory for the rest of the half, Inter struggled to break down Urawa’s compact defensive shape. A few chances went begging, including a close-range header from Martínez that struck the bar. The first 45 minutes ended with Urawa leading 1–0, largely against the run of play.
Tactical Patience and Pressure
Inter Milan returned from halftime with renewed urgency. Manager Cristian Chivu, filling in as head coach, instructed his team to stretch the field, increase the tempo, and exploit Urawa’s narrow midfield. Despite overwhelming control—over 80% possession and more than 20 shots by the 70th minute—Inter’s final ball continued to let them down.
Urawa, on the other hand, sat deep in two compact lines, relying on counter-attacks and set-pieces. Goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa made several smart interventions to keep his side in the lead.
Turning Point: Lautaro Martínez Levels
In the 78th minute, the breakthrough finally came. A corner kick from Nicolò Barella found Lautaro Martínez inside the box. In a moment of brilliance, the Argentine striker executed a powerful overhead volley that sailed past the keeper into the net—bringing Inter level at 1–1 and injecting life back into the match.
It was a moment of world-class quality and signaled a shift in momentum as Inter pushed harder for a winner.
Date: June 21, 2025
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle
Competition: FIFA Club World Cup – Group E
Heroic Finish: Valentín Carboni’s Moment
As the match entered injury time, substitute Valentín Carboni—recently recovered from injury—became the unexpected hero. A deflected ball fell to the 20-year-old inside the penalty area, and with composure beyond his years, he slotted it into the far corner to give Inter a 2–1 lead.
Carboni’s celebration was one of emotion and release, marking not just a key goal but also his personal comeback to competitive football after months on the sidelines.
Match Stats Overview
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Final Score: Inter Milan 2–1 Urawa Red Diamonds
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Possession: Inter 84% – Urawa 16%
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Shots: Inter 26 – Urawa 5
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Shots on Target: Inter 4 – Urawa 3
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Corners: Inter 11 – Urawa 1
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Fouls: Inter 9 – Urawa 14
The numbers painted a clear picture: Inter dominated every metric but were nearly undone by poor finishing and Urawa’s defensive organization.
Tactical Analysis
Inter’s approach was rooted in heavy possession and wing overloads. They struggled to penetrate Urawa’s deep block until Chivu introduced more dynamic substitutions. The presence of Carboni and Frattesi added freshness and unpredictability.
Urawa executed a disciplined game plan for over 75 minutes but lacked the stamina and depth to hold off a relentless Inter surge late in the match.
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Group E Standings and Implications
Following this victory, Inter sit at the top of Group E with 4 points. Their final group match against River Plate will determine the top spot and potentially easier knockout opponents.
For Urawa Red Diamonds, the loss eliminates them from qualification. Two defeats in two matches mean they end their campaign at the bottom of the group despite a brave effort.
Group E Standings:
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Inter Milan – 4 pts
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River Plate – 4 pts
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Monterrey – 2 pts
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Urawa Red Diamonds – 0 pts
Player Performances
Lautaro Martínez (Inter)
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Scored a world-class volley to equalize.
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Played as captain and led the line with resilience.
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Now has 24 goals this season in all competitions.
Valentín Carboni (Inter)
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Scored the match-winner in injury time.
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Showed composure and skill under pressure.
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Marked his return to action with a defining moment.
Ryoma Watanabe (Urawa)
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Scored a well-taken goal to give Urawa an early lead.
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Worked tirelessly in attack and transition phases.
Manager Reactions
Cristian Chivu (Inter Milan):
“We had the ball, we had the chances, but goals win games. Valentín showed great character and timing. He deserves every bit of praise today.”
Maciej Skorża (Urawa Red Diamonds):
“We defended with our hearts but football can be cruel. I’m proud of our team spirit and effort. We leave with lessons learned.”
Where to Watch Inter Milan vs Urawa Red Diamonds
The match was streamed live on digital sports platforms with free and premium viewing options. Coverage included pre-match analysis, live commentary, and post-match highlights.
Fans globally can continue to follow Club World Cup matches through official broadcasters and on-demand platforms.
Match Timeline
| Minute | Event |
|---|---|
| 11′ | Ryoma Watanabe scores for Urawa (0–1) |
| 78′ | Lautaro Martínez equalizes for Inter (1–1) |
| 90+2′ | Valentín Carboni scores the winner (2–1) |
What’s Next?
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Inter Milan faces River Plate next, with a spot in the knockout stage on the line.
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Urawa Red Diamonds return home after showing resilience and competitive grit despite back-to-back defeats.
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The match adds another chapter to Inter’s European legacy and showcases the emerging talent of South American and Asian footballers on the world stage.
Final Word
Inter Milan’s 2–1 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds was a showcase of persistence, tactical flexibility, and late-game heroics. While Urawa impressed with early aggression and defensive resolve, it was Inter’s quality and resilience that prevailed.
The night belonged to Valentín Carboni, whose comeback goal not only won the match but also affirmed his arrival on the big stage. With knockout football looming, Inter now carries momentum, confidence, and belief—a powerful trio as the Club World Cup heats up.
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