What Happened
In a closely contested match on June 21, 2025, Inter Milan secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds in the FIFA Club World Cup held at Lumen Field in Seattle. The match began with Urawa taking an early lead in the 11th minute through Ryoma Watanabe, who capitalized on a counter-attack assisted by Takuro Kaneko. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous opportunities, Inter struggled to convert their chances in the first half, failing to register a shot on target until the 78th minute.
The turning point came late in the match when Lautaro Martínez equalized for Inter with a spectacular overhead kick from a corner taken by Nicolò Barella. Just as it seemed the game would end in a draw, Inter’s Valentin Carboni scored a stoppage-time winner, sealing the match and eliminating Urawa from the tournament. This victory allowed Inter to maintain their hopes of advancing in the Club World Cup, placing them at the top of Group E with four points after two matches.
Key Details
- Final Score: Inter Milan 2, Urawa Red Diamonds 1
- Goals:
- Urawa: Ryoma Watanabe (11’)
- Inter: Lautaro Martínez (78’), Valentin Carboni (90’+2)
- Possession: Inter Milan 81.6%, Urawa Red Diamonds 18.4%
- Shots: Inter Milan 26 (4 on target), Urawa Red Diamonds 5 (3 on target)
- Attendance: 25,090
- Match Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle
- Managerial Context: Cristian Chivu managed Inter for the second time after taking over from Simone Inzaghi earlier in June.
Lineups
Inter Milan (3-5-2 Formation):
- Goalkeeper: Yann Sommer
- Defenders: Matteo Darmian, Stefan de Vrij, Carlos Augusto
- Midfielders: Nicolò Barella, Kristjan Asllani, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Federico Dimarco, Luis Henrique
- Forwards: Lautaro Martínez (captain), Sebastiano Esposito
Urawa Red Diamonds (4-2-3-1 Formation):
- Goalkeeper: Shusaku Nishikawa
- Defenders: Hiroki Ishihara, Danilo Boza, Morten Høibråten (captain), Yuki Naganuma
- Midfielders: Kenta Yasui, Sebastian Gustafson
- Forwards: Takuro Kaneko, Matheus Sávio, Ryoma Watanabe, Yusuke Matsuo
Multiple Perspectives
The match showcased contrasting styles and strategies. Inter Milan’s approach was characterized by high possession and relentless attacking pressure, as they completed 813 passes compared to Urawa’s 187. However, their inability to convert opportunities into goals until late in the match raised questions about their finishing and tactical execution under Chivu. Critics noted that Inter’s performance was underwhelming, particularly in the first half, where they struggled to penetrate Urawa’s organized defense.
Conversely, Urawa Red Diamonds displayed commendable resilience and tactical discipline. Their early goal allowed them to adopt a defensive posture, effectively stifling Inter’s attacking threats for much of the match. Analysts praised Urawa for their commitment and organization, emphasizing that they executed their game plan well, even if it ultimately did not yield a favorable result.
Context & Background
This match was part of the FIFA Club World Cup, a prestigious tournament featuring top clubs from various continents. Inter Milan, a well-established team in European football, aimed to rebound from a disappointing season, including a heavy defeat in the UEFA Champions League final. The victory against Urawa was crucial for Inter to regain momentum and confidence under their new manager, Cristian Chivu.
Urawa Red Diamonds, on the other hand, faced challenges in their domestic league and were unable to qualify for the AFC Champions League this season. Their participation in the Club World Cup was an opportunity to showcase their talent on a global stage, but the loss to Inter marked an early exit from the tournament.
What We Don’t Know Yet
While the match provided insights into both teams’ current forms, uncertainties remain regarding Inter Milan’s consistency moving forward in the tournament. The effectiveness of Chivu’s tactics and player selections will be closely monitored in their upcoming match against River Plate. Additionally, Urawa’s future strategies and potential adjustments following their elimination are yet to be determined, as they will need to regroup for their domestic league commitments.
Overall, the match highlighted the unpredictability of football, where a team’s fortunes can shift dramatically within moments, and underscored the importance of resilience and tactical adaptability in high-stakes competitions.
