On June 21, 2025, FC Internazionale Milano faced off against Urawa Red Diamonds in a gripping match during the FIFA Club World Cup held at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. Inter Milan staged a thrilling comeback to win the game 2-1 after initially trailing behind.
Match Summary
Urawa Red Diamonds took the lead in the first half when Ryoma Watanabe scored, making it a challenging evening for the Nerazzurri. However, Lautaro Martinez equalized with a stunning overhead kick, and later, Valentin Carboni netted the winning goal, ensuring Inter’s first victory under coach Cristian Chivu after a draw against Monterrey.
Dominance of Inter
The match saw Inter dominate possession, yet Urawa’s defense stood strong amid relentless pressure. Throughout the first half, Inter controlled the game, with Nicola Zalewski providing significant attacking threats. However, it was Watanabe’s determined counter-attack that led to Urawa’s early lead.
First Half Overview
Despite Urawa’s opening goal, Inter continued to press hard. Martinez almost leveled the score with a powerful header, but his attempt went just wide as the half concluded without Inter scoring.
Second Half Action
Returning for the second half, Inter maintained their attacking momentum. Coach Chivu made strategic substitutions, bringing on Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Francesco Pio Esposito to bolster the attack. Various attempts were made to break through Urawa’s defense, but still no goals came.
Late Drama
As the clock ticked down, the pressure began to mount on Urawa when Martinez successfully converted from a corner in the 78th minute, bringing the score to 1-1. The match became increasingly tense as both sides had near chances to score.
Final Moments
In a dramatic finish, Urawa’s Thiago Santana fell in the penalty area, sparking penalty appeals which were dismissed by VAR. Ultimately, as stoppage time approached, Carboni seized an opportunity and scored the decisive goal, sealing the victory for Inter.
