Late Goal Seals Victory for Inter Milan Over Urawa Reds at 2025 Club World Cup

Inter Milan produced a dramatic comeback to defeat Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds 2-1 in Seattle, keeping their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup ambitions alive in breathtaking fashion. Goals from Lautaro Martinez and substitute Valentin Carboni late in the match overturned an early deficit and sent the Serie A giants into the next stage, while eliminating their resilient Japanese opponents.

The match began with a shock for Inter. Despite dominating early possession, they were caught off guard in the 11th minute by a rapid counterattack from Urawa. The move was finished off clinically by Ryoma Watanabe, who timed his run perfectly and slotted a composed low finish past the Inter keeper to give the Japanese side an unexpected lead.

Inter, playing under Cristian Chivu—recently appointed interim coach following Simone Inzaghi’s departure earlier this month—responded aggressively. They created several opportunities, but a lack of composure in front of goal proved costly. Martinez nearly equalized minutes later, but saw his header crash off the crossbar in what was Inter’s best chance of the first half. Despite tallying nine attempts in the opening 45 minutes, not a single effort was on target—a statistic that highlighted their wastefulness and kept Urawa ahead at the break.

The second half saw a much more intense and purposeful Inter side. Piling on the pressure, they peppered the Urawa penalty area with crosses and long-range efforts, but the Japanese club remained composed and compact in defense. Inter’s midfield, led by Henrikh Mkhitaryan, controlled the tempo, but the Armenian veteran missed a golden opportunity when he sent a close-range shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Urawa, despite their underdog status, continued to pose a threat on the counter. In the 70th minute, they had a glorious chance to double their lead during a fast break that saw them outnumber Inter’s defense five to three. However, Watanabe’s effort sailed over the bar, a miss that would ultimately prove pivotal.

With time running out, Inter finally found the breakthrough. In the 77th minute, a well-delivered corner caused chaos in the Urawa box. Lautaro Martinez, showcasing his leadership and instinct, executed a sublime overhead kick that left the goalkeeper rooted and brought Inter level. The goal reinvigorated the Italian side, who pushed forward relentlessly in search of a winner.

Urawa, who had been disciplined and defiant for much of the match, began to show signs of fatigue. With their defense stretched, Inter capitalized in stoppage time. A deflected shot rebounded into the path of Valentín Carboni, who made no mistake from close range, slotting home in the 92nd minute to seal a dramatic victory. The young substitute’s goal triggered wild celebrations on the Inter bench and heartbreak for the Japanese side, who had come so close to a historic result.

The result marks Chivu’s second game in charge of Inter and his first major victory. While the performance was far from flawless, the character shown by his side in overcoming adversity will be encouraging as they continue their Club World Cup journey.

For Urawa Reds, the defeat ends their campaign in disappointment. Despite failing to qualify for this season’s AFC Champions League, they proved a formidable opponent on the global stage, blending defensive organization with sharp counterattacks. However, their inability to capitalize on key chances, particularly in the second half, ultimately cost them a famous upset.

As Inter advance to the next round, their focus will now shift to building momentum under Chivu. With a spot in the final within reach, the Nerazzurri will take confidence from their late-show heroics—but also know improvements are needed if they are to lift the trophy.