This massive Group E encounter of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be played between UEFA Champions League runners-up Internazionale Milano and the 2023 Argentinian champions CA River Plate on June 26th at Lumen Field Stadium in Seattle.
Here’s our preview and prediction for the game.
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 | Group E: Internazionale Milano vs CA River Plate | 06:30 IST, June 26
After a draw in the opening fixture against Monterrey and a comeback win against Japanese club Urawa Red Diamonds, this is a must win game for Inter. As for River Plate, they opened their Club World Cup campaign with a convincing 3-1 win against Urawa Reds before reaching a stalemate against Monterrey, so a win would catapult them into the Round of 16 as well.
Coming to their previous match, Inter looked very uncomfortable and unconvincing against a much weaker opponent. Urawa Reds opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a well-constructed goal with Ryoma Watanabe on the scoresheet. The Japanese club looked lively and dangerous with Inter looking sluggish in the opening period.
Inter hardly looked like attacking except for Nicolo Barella’s close-range header that hit the crossbar. However, top class players conjure moments of magic and Lautaro Martinez did just that when he scored from a bicycle-kick from a corner. More drama ensued in the dying minutes when Valentin Carboni placed the ball into the far corner to grab all three points. Heartbreak for the Urawa Reds but they played a damn good game against a European giant.
As for River Plate vs Monterrey, it was a feisty goalless draw from the two Latin American sides with River Plate ending the game with 10-men as Kevin Castaño was shown a red card in the second half stoppage-time. River Plate had the better chances and dominated the match. River Plate defender Paulo Díaz had an early chance to score when he headed over the bar.
The Monterrey goalkeeper Esteban Andrada had a great game and proved to be a wall in front of goal. Andrada made two superb second half saves from Franco Mastantuono and Miguel Borja to keep his side in the game. He also blocked a later attempt by Borja to secure a point for his side, much to the frustration of River Plate who had several chances but just couldn’t find a breakthrough.
As for the upcoming fixture, both sides have issues to worry about. Inter are missing four players due to injuries – Yann Bisseck, Hakan Çalhano?lu, Piotr Zieli?ski and Benjamin Pavard with Iranian forward Mehdi Taremi missing due to his VISA being denied because of the current conflict. River Plate also has issues with players missing due to suspensions: Castaño, Enzo Perez, Giuliano Galoppo will miss the Inter game due to red card and yellow card suspensions. It’s difficult to call this game as Inter have looked unconvincing and leggy while River Plate has dominated games but hasn’t been able to convert their chances to gains.
However, considering South American clubs have been dominating these fixtures so far, we suppose this could end in a 2-1 win for River Plate.
Score Prediction: Internazionale Milano 1-2 CA River Plate
Venue: Lumen Field Stadium, Seattle, Washington
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