Club World Cup: First Place is There for the Taking for Inter Milan

Inter Milan vs River Plate

​Inter Milan and River Plate will fight for the two coveted knockout round berths in Group E of the 2025 Club World Cup. They are locked together on four points, with River Plate having a better goal difference than Inter Milan. Meanwhile, Monterrey still have a puncher’s chance of making it after back-to-back draws for two points, and the Urawa Reds are already eliminated.

After a 1-1 draw against Monterrey on the first matchday, Inter Milan secured a 2-1 victory against the Urawa Reds – Cristian Chivu’s first win as the Nerazzurri head coach. River Plate also beat the Urawa Reds (3-1) but dropped points in a goalless draw against Monterrey last Sunday.

The winner between Inter Milan and River Plate will claim the top spot in the group, hypothetically giving them a more favorable matchup in the knockouts. Which team will come out on top? Read more in today’s SBOTOP preview.

 

Talking Points

Martinez leading the way for Inter Milan

Lautaro Martinez has been a man on a mission following Inter Milan’s heartbreaking defeat against PSG in the Champions League final not too long ago. The Argentine striker leads Inter Milan with two goals in this Club World Cup, and he may have to continue to shoulder the heavy load as they go deeper into the tournament.

Martinez scored the much-needed equalizer against Monterrey after Inter Milan trailed by one goal, with no thanks to Sergio Ramos. He followed it up with another goal against the Urawa Reds, sparking a late comeback after trailing for most of the game because of Ryoma Watanabe’s early goal. Young compatriot Valentin Carboni scored the matchwinner in stoppage time. Martinez apologized to the fans after the game since he felt that Inter Milan’s performance against their Japanese counterparts was unacceptable.

With Hakan Calhanoglu (thigh), Denzel Dumfries (hamstring), Davide Frattesi (hamstring), Marcus Thuram (flexor), Piotr Zielinski (calf), Benjamin Pavard (unspecified), and Yann Bisseck (thigh) in the medical room and not expected to play soon, Inter Milan will need Martinez’s heroics even more.

Sebastiano Esposito should continue to fill Thuram’s boots in the final third alongside Martinez. Head coach Cristian Chivu could recall Alessandro Bastoni and Henrikh Mkhitaryan this Wednesday because they are well-rested.

 

River Plate have a discipline problem

Head coach Marcelo Gallardo faces a major lineup dilemma against Inter Milan since he will miss at least three players this Wednesday for getting booked in the first two matches. Kevin Castano, Enzo Perez, and Giuliano Galoppo are all suspended for this critical fixture, compromising their midfield. Castano was sent off against Monterrey. Perez and Galoppo picked up their second bookings of the competition, enough for a one-game suspension, against their Mexican counterparts. Maximiliano Meza, Marcos Acuna, and German Pezzella also have yellow cards.

With these absences, River Plate will need Franco Mastantuono to bring his A-game again. The 17-year-old forward was named Player of the Match against Monterrey, and his future employers, Real Madrid, will be watching his progress because he has yet to register a goal contribution this tournament.

 

History

Sunday marks the first-ever meeting between Inter Milan and River Plate. These two teams have been regulars in the Club World Cup.

Inter Milan won their first and only Club World Cup title in 2010, beating TP Mazembe 3-0 in the final. On the other hand, River Plate have been runners-up once, losing 3-0 to Barcelona in the 2015 final. They also finished third in 2018 after losing to Al-Ain in the semifinals via penalties and winning 4-0 against the Kashima Antlers in the bronze medal match.

Both teams are in similar form heading into this match, with three wins, two draws, and one loss in their last six across all competitions. Inter Milan and River Plate are among the undefeated teams left in the 2025 Club World Cup.

 

Betting Tip

The Club World Cup 2025 odds expect Inter Milan to record their second consecutive win in the tournament at Lumen Field this Wednesday evening. Inter Milan are at 1.95 odds to win, while River Plate are 3.60 underdogs, and a draw is at 3.22 in the 1X2 market.

Inter Milan should have enough to beat River Plate, but it’ll likely be on the back of a low-scoring game, though football fans should get their fair share of Club World Cup 2025 highlights. Bettors can also go for alternatives such as Under 2.75 at 1.78, Under 2.50 at 2.00, Under 2.25 at 2.28, and even Total Goal 0-1 at 3.26.

   

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