Club World Cup: Inter Milan overturn Urawa thanks to Valentin Carboni

 

After losing everything in a nightmarish end to the season, the Nerazzurri were counting on the Club World Cup in the United States to heal and prepare for the next season with Crisitan Chivu on their bench. But it all started badly with a draw against Monterrey, which forced the Milanese team to win against the Urawa Red Diamonds. And quickly, the Italians showed a better face than in the first match by showing great attacking power with a first clear opportunity for the ex-Marseillais Luis Henrique (3rd).

But against all odds, the Japanese opened the scoring with their first attack. On a move from the right flank where Carlos Augusto was eaten, Watanabe, through the middle, opened the scoring (1-0, 11th). Subsequently, Inter tried to react through Darmian, then Lautaro who hit the crossbar (19th). Despite 85% possession at the break, Chivu's men could not find the opening. The second half started on the same basis, with Inter in total domination.

Lautaro Martínez put Inter Milan back together

But on the other side, the Reds' defense was perfectly in place and well aided by the Italian attacking clumsiness, with 13 shots and still none on target after the hour mark. Saitama's team even came close to giving themselves a break after a well-executed counterattack and a missed Watanabe shot (73rd). But finally, after another opportunity missed by Mkhitaryan, Milan were saved. On a corner from the left side at mid-height taken by Barella, Lautaro Martínez was able to appear at the near post and unleash a superb right-footed volley to equalize (1-1, 78th).

Enough to save the Nerazzurri from possible elimination, but at the very end of the match, the savior was a former Marseille player: Valentin Carboni, who benefited from a favorable counterattack to score the winning goal (2-1, 90th+2). The Argentinian allowed Inter Milan to take the lead in the group before facing River Plate on the final matchday. On the other hand, the Japanese side Urawa can have regrets with no points taken in two matches, despite a good performance. They will have to give everything against Monterrey to hope for qualification.