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**Inter Milan Advances in Club World Cup with Victory Over River Plate**
**SEATTLE (AP)** — Inter Milan secured their spot in the second round of the Club World Cup with a 2-0 victory over River Plate Wednesday night. Francesco Pio Esposito, 19, broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute, scoring his first career goal for the club. Alessandro Bastoni sealed the win with a left-footed strike from outside the box in stoppage time.
The game took a turn when River Plate’s Lucas Martínez Quarta received a red card just before Esposito’s goal, after taking down Henrikh Mkhitaryan on a breakaway. Prior to the ejection, Inter Milan Goalkeeper Yann Sommer denied River Plate’s chance of taking the lead after he stopped Manuel Lanzini’s cross to Facundo Colidio.
Inter Milan topped Group E with seven points, followed by Monterrey, which defeated Urawa Red Diamonds 4-0. River Plate finished third in the group.
Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu praised Esposito, stating, “I’m happy because he played a great game and joined a very difficult and real game and was up to the challenge.”
Inter Milan will face Fluminense, on Monday in Charlotte, North Carolina, while Monterrey will play Borussia Dortmund in Atlanta.
**In other Club World Cup news:** Al Ain is set to face Wydad AC on Thursday, June 26th at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. The match will be available to watch via DAZN.
First Piper 