Argentine football giant River Plate exited the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after losing 2-0 to Italian side Inter Milan on Wednesday. The competition has now come to an end for Argentine clubs, as Boca Juniors exited the competition on Tuesday.

Head coach Marcelo Gallardo’s team needed a win or a very specific set of results to secure its spot in the next round. After beating Japanese outfit Urawa Red Diamonds in its debut and drawing a 0-0 tie with Mexico’s Monterrey, the Millonario had its fate in its own hands but faced a daring challenge against UEFA Champions League runner-up Inter.

The first half was an even affair. Both teams saw similar time on the ball, and either could’ve scored. However, bad news arrived for River fans from the other game — which had kicked off at the same time to avoid results speculation. Monterrey had taken a commanding lead, meaning a draw was no longer enough for River. 

Inter Milan took the reins of the game in the second half, showcasing superior fitness. Argentine star striker Lautaro Martínez had two good scoring chances for the Italian outfit. River also had its opportunity in the 63rd minute with a Facundo Colidio header inside the box that went into the hands of the Inter goalkeeper.

It all came undone just a few minutes later, as River defender Lucas Martínez Quarta gifted a counterattack to Inter’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The defender brought his opponent down and was instantly sent off. 

The sending off allowed Inter to dominate the game completely. In the 71st minute, striker Francesco Pio Esposito scored the opener for the Italian side, and Alessandro Bastoni made it 2-0 in added time.

River ended the game with nine players, as Gonzalo Montiel was sent off due to a double yellow card. After a collision between defender Marcos Acuña and Inter’s Denzel Dumfries, Montiel’s heated protests to the referee earned him an early walk to the showers.

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“We played the game the way we wanted,” said Gallardo after the game. “Competed fair and square against them.”

The River head coach highlighted his team’s performance even when missing some key players and the way they took the game to Inter in the first half.

“Sadly, the sending off didn’t allow us to get to the final minutes with chances,” he added. “It’s a shame for all the fans who came en masse to support the team.”

Gallardo’s words were echoed by Lautaro Martínez, who defended River and Boca’s performance in the Club World Cup.

“They deserved more,” the Argentine men’s national team star said after the match. “They did a solid group stage against very high-caliber teams. This competition is all about little details.”

River and Boca’s elimination means Brazil’s Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense, and Palmeiras are the only South American representatives remaining in the competition. All four are through to the round of 16, where Fluminense will match up against Inter and Flamengo will do so against Bayern Munich. Botafogo and Palmeiras are set to face each other.

The round of 16 matches will be played from Saturday, June 29, through July 1.