Inter Milan 2-1 Urawa Reds: Carboni's last-gasp winner rescues Nerazzurri in Club World Cup thriller

Inter Milan kept their Club World Cup hopes alive with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Urawa Red Diamonds, as goals from Lautaro Martinez and 20-year-old substitute Valentin Carboni helped the Serie A giants snatch all three points in Seattle.

This Group E clash looked destined to end in frustration for the Italian side after Ryoma Watanabe gave the Japanese underdogs a shock first-half lead. But in true Inter style, a spectacular overhead kick from Martinez and a stoppage-time strike from Carboni sealed a result that keeps the Nerazzurri at the top of the group standings.

Under the interim guidance of Cristian Chivu following Simone Inzaghi's exit, Inter Milan came out with intent. The Nerazzurri dominated the early stages of the match, pinning Urawa Reds back inside their own half. Within just two minutes, Nicola Zalewski’s inviting cross narrowly evaded Sebastian Esposito at the far post, a sign of Inter’s attacking ambitions.

However, despite enjoying over 80% of possession, Inter were caught cold in the 11th minute. Urawa winger Takuro Kaneko blazed past his marker down the right and delivered a low cutback that Ryoma Watanabe swept confidently past Yann Sommer.

The early goal stunned the Italian side and ignited belief in the Urawa camp. Despite relentless pressure from Inter, including a header from Lautaro Martinez that rattled the crossbar in the 19th minute, they failed to find the net in the first half. Nine attempts all went off target — a stat that summed up Inter’s wastefulness in front of goal.

Urawa's defensive grit vs Inter's relentless assault

The second half continued in similar fashion. Inter Milan monopolized the ball, moving it from flank to flank, searching for an opening. Henrikh Mkhitaryan missed a clear chance with the goal gaping, and Kristjan Asllani fired wide from distance. Federico Di Marco also saw his trademark volley sail over the bar.

But Urawa Red Diamonds remained dangerous on the counter-attack. In the 69th minute, Watanabe led a golden three-on-two break but chose to go alone, his shot soaring over the crossbar — a missed opportunity that would come back to haunt the Japanese side.

Martinez magic and Carboni’s clutch moment

With Inter running out of time, a moment of brilliance from captain Lautaro Martinez brought them level in the 77th minute. From a corner, the Argentine striker leapt into the air and connected with a sensational overhead kick that left goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa rooted to the spot.

The goal rejuvenated Inter, who threw everything forward in search of a winner. Urawa, to their credit, defended resolutely — until the 92nd minute.

A scrappy ball broke loose inside the box and fell kindly for Valentin Carboni. The 20-year-old, with composure belying his age, coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to spark wild celebrations among the Inter players and fans in Seattle.

What the numbers say

The stats told a compelling tale:

• Possession: Inter 82% – 18% Urawa
• Shots: Inter 26 – 4 Urawa
• Shots on target: Inter 4 – 2 Urawa
• Passes completed: Inter 746 – 113 Urawa

Despite Inter's dominance in possession and shot volume, it took until the final moments to convert their superiority into victory. Urawa’s efficient, low-possession strategy nearly paid off, but in the end, they were undone by moments of individual brilliance.

Standout Players

• Lautaro Martinez was relentless, showing leadership and flair when it mattered most. His acrobatic goal shifted the momentum.
• Valentin Carboni, the hero of the night, made his mark with his first senior goal for Inter.
• Ryoma Watanabe impressed for Urawa, scoring a well-taken opener and leading their counterattacks.
• Takuro Kaneko was a constant outlet down the right flank for the Japanese side.

What’s Next?

The win places Inter Milan top of Group E with four points from two matches. They now face Argentina’s River Platein their final group fixture, a clash that will likely decide qualification.

Urawa Red Diamonds, with zero points, are eliminated but will conclude their tournament campaign against Mexico’s Monterrey. Despite the loss, Urawa can leave the tournament with pride after showing admirable fight and tactical discipline against one of Europe’s elite.

It wasn’t vintage Inter Milan, but it was enough. Their hopes of lifting the Club World Cup remain intact — just barely. As for Urawa, their journey ends, but their resilience and quality will be remembered.

About the Clubs

Inter Milan, officially known as Football Club Internazionale Milano, is one of Italy’s most successful and storied football clubs. Based in Milan, they compete in Serie A and have won 19 league titles, three UEFA Champions League trophies, and multiple domestic cups. Inter is renowned globally for its strong defensive identity and rich legacy of legendary players.

Urawa Red Diamonds, commonly known as Urawa Reds, are one of Japan’s premier football clubs based in Saitama. They play in the J1 League and have a decorated history including multiple domestic league titles and two AFC Champions League titles. Known for their passionate fanbase, Urawa are frequent contenders on the Asian football scene.

SportsLigue