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Inter pulled off a late comeback to beat Urawa Red Diamonds 2-1 in their second game at the 2025 FIFA World Cup. Cristian Chivu\u2019s men were on the verge of a near-certain elimination but managed to fight back and take a crucial win.<\/strong><\/p>\n Urawa took the lead early on as Ryoma Watanabe fired them in front after just 11 minutes. However, it was the Japanese side\u2019s only shot in the first half. Meanwhile, Inter had nine but none on target, with Lautaro Martinez\u2019s header in the 20th minute the closest they got to scoring.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, the ball rattled off the crossbar. Despite enjoying 84% ball possession, Inter couldn\u2019t find a way past Urawa\u2019s defense in the first half. It seemed like Marciej Skorza\u2019s side could stage an upset at Lumen Field in Seattle.<\/p>\n Yet, the Argentines in the Nerazzurri midst had other plans. Lautaro Martinez scored a breathtaking overhead kick to initiate the comeback in the 78th minute. But Inter fans had to wait until second-half stoppages to see their side complete the turnaround.<\/p>\n Second-half substitute Valentin Carboni was in the right place at the right time to send a loose ball into the back of the net and inspire Inter to a pivotal victory. Chivu\u2019s charges will take on River Plate in their final Group E outing, potentially as leaders.<\/p>\n Without further ado, let\u2019s jump to our player ratings.<\/p>\n Yann Sommer \u2013 6\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n Except for comfortably thwarting a feeble attempt midway through the second half, the Swiss veteran didn\u2019t have anything to do this evening, considering he couldn\u2019t do anything to stop the goal.<\/p>\n Matteo Darmian \u2013 6\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n Deployed as a right center-back, Darmian fared much better than against Monterrey a few days ago, though Urawa\u2019s attacking-shy performance made his job easy.<\/p>\n Stefan de Vrij \u2013 7\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n The experienced defender should\u2019ve positioned himself better for the goal, and Inter paid the ultimate price. However, he hasn\u2019t put his foot wrong ever since.<\/p>\n Carlos Augusto \u2013 5\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n Much blame for Watanabe\u2019s goal goes to him as Takuro Kaneko outplayed him easily, breezing past with a clever feint before delivering the decisive cross that led to the opener.<\/p>\n Federico Dimarco \u2013 6\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n After a relatively underwhelming performance against Monterrey, the star wingback looked more like his former self despite failing to score or assist. In addition to several dangerous crosses, he nearly scored with a thumping volley early in the second half.<\/p>\n Nicola Zalewski \u2013 5\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n Though strong on the ball and calm in possession, the Pole desperately lacked creativity and the final touch, never truly testing Urawa\u2019s defense. That hopeless attempt to draw a penalty never fooled anyone.<\/p>\n Kristjan Asllani \u2013 6\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n Far less impactful than a few days ago, Asllani still enjoyed plenty of possession and tried to be the architect of Inter\u2019s play but often failed to find the right pass.<\/p>\n Nicolo Barella \u2013 7\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n The diminutive ace was a breath of fresh air in Inter\u2019s inert engine room, but like his fellow midfield colleagues, he struggled to unlock Urawa\u2019s low defensive block.<\/p>\n Luis Henrique \u2013 4\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n Despite occasional flashes of his technical ability, the Brazilian was often wasteful in possession and lost a crucial ball that nearly helped Urawa go 2-0 up.<\/p>\n Sebastiano Esposito \u2013 3\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n Chivu took him off at the start of the second half after a near-anonymous showing in the opening 45 minutes. Ineffective and cut out from the rest of the pack, he was a mere spectator.<\/p>\n Lautaro Martinez \u2013 8\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n Given the way he was playing today, it was only a matter of time before he would score. And it was phenomenal! El Toro stepped up when Inter needed their captain the most.<\/p>\n Francesco Pio Esposito \u2013 5\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n Henrikh Mkhitaryan \u2013 6\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n Alessandro Bastoni \u2013 6\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n Valentin Carboni \u2013 8\/10<\/strong><\/p>\nInter (3-5-2)<\/h2>\n
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