River Plate 3 Urawa Red Diamonds 1: Mastantuono, mind games and one really massive tactics board
River Plate kicked off their Club World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds.
Facundo Colidio gave River the perfect start, heading home after 12 minutes, and Sebastian Driussi doubled his side's lead shortly after the break after capitalising on a Red Diamonds defensive mix-up.
Yusuke Matsuo halved the deficit from the penalty spot just before the hour mark after Marcos Acuna fouled Takuro Kaneko. The River full-back made up for his error with his second assist of the match though, as his corner was headed home by Maximiliano Meza on 73 minutes to make it 3-1.
Andy Jones runs through the talking points from River's 2-1 win at Lumen Field…
In the space of a few months 17-year-old Franco Mastantuono has gone from a relatively unknown teenager playing for River Plate to Argentina's youngest ever senior international and a Real Madrid player.
After the Spanish side triggered his €45million release clause – with the deal totalling €63.2million – he will officially join them on August 18 when he turns 18. The attacker will have to get used to being under the microscope with plenty more people interested in his performances in this tournament.
Advertisement
While some have made the bold statement of labelling him as the new Lionel Messi, this was not quite the jaw dropping performance that backed up those comparisons – but expectations have to be managed for a player still in the infancy of his career.
He did play a key role in his team's opening goal as he surged inside from the right wing and spread a pass out to the left. Marcos Acuna delivered a perfect cross which gave Facundo Colidio the simple task of heading home after 12 minutes.
CÓMO JUEGA RIVER AL FÚTBOL, PAPÁ 😍🙌
Franco Mastantuono pone la fantasía, Acuña el pase y Colidio la cabeza 🤌@FIFACWC | Todos los partidos gratis en https://t.co/OFe1FpBGjK | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/BjGuwrGEZX
— DAZN España (@DAZN_ES) June 17, 2025
Aside from that Mastantuono was quiet in the opening half an hour but as the game went on he began to show why there is so much excitement about his potential. He became the focal point of the River Plate attack, using his gangly frame to carry the ball and wrong-foot defenders, but despite his best efforts it turned into one of those days where everything he tried didn't quite come off.
There are more games to come, and with this victory the Argentinian side have put themselves in a good position to qualify, giving Mastantuono more opportunities to show off his undoubted talent.
There has been plenty of talk about the team introductions ahead of each Club World Cup match with players walking out individually and lining up facing each other in a time-consuming exercise.
Urawa Red Diamonds captain Marius Hoibraten seems to share the view of those who are not fans of it – or he's the king of the mind games.
As he led his side towards their opponents, Hoibraten opted for a blank stare as he marched past his opponents…
While the rest of his team shook hands with the Argentinian side behind him.
It was an odd moment, and the bemused faces of the River players only added to the hilarity of the moment.
While it is unlikely to have been intentional, it is some exceptional gamesmanship if it was. Forget your fair play and sportsmanship, this is business.
It looked like it had worked perfectly when he looped a header beyond River goalkeeper Franco Armani to score what he thought was an equaliser. As he got ready to celebrate he was denied by the offside flag.
Advertisement
Instead, it was another header which was a key moment in the game for all the wrong reasons. Shortly after the second half began, his attempted header back to his goalkeeper was pounced on by Sebastian Driussi who beat Shusaku Nishikawa to the ball to double his side's lead. It was far from the ideal outcome.
In the defender's defence, the club captain is Takahiro Sekine who began on the bench so he might just have been too concerned with other responsibilities.
He probably won't forget to shake hands next time.
In an age where everything in football is about data and instant video analysis on iPads, Urawa Red Diamonds aren't interested in that nonsense.
As they prepared to make a double substitution midway through the second half, one of the team's coaching staff was briefing imminent arrival Thiago Santos Santana as they tried to get back on level terms – by using the biggest tactics sheet arguably the world has ever seen.
Proper old school. Proper football.
In an industry now where so much is hidden to deny opponents from gaining an upper hand, the large tactical diagrams left little mystery as to their tactics and set-up.
Even the 5,000 Urawa fans, who travelled over from Japan and did not stop chanting and bouncing all game, positioned behind one of the goals could have read the instructions being dished out.
Unfortunately, it apparently didn't have a solution for defending a near post corner as two minutes after the substitutions were made, Maximiliano Meza drifted into space left by the Japanese side's zonal marking system to head home Acuna's corner and restore his side's two goal advantage. The goalkeeping was poor, the defending not much better.
Back to the drawing board on the set pieces for the Red Diamonds.
You can sign up to DAZN to watch every FIFA Club World Cup game for free
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Italy U21 Star Declares Inter Milan Are ‘Fired Up' To Face Urawa Red Diamonds In FIFA Club World Cup
Italy U21 Star Declares Inter Milan Are 'Fired Up' To Face Urawa Red Diamonds In FIFA Club World Cup Sebastiano Esposito says that Inter Milan are 'fired up' to face Urawa Red Diamonds at the Club World Cup. The 22-year-old spoke to Italian broadcaster DAZN ahead of the match, via FCInterNews. He also praised Urawa Reds for their athleticism. Advertisement Inter Milan take on Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds this evening. This will be the Nerazzurri's second match of the Club World Cup group stage match. They drew 1-1 with Mexican team Monterrey in their first. That opening day draw has left Inter with a lot of work to do over their remaining two group stage matches. After today, they will take on Argentine giants River Plate in their final group match. A win against Urawa Reds this evening would certainly see Inter Milan take a big step towards the knockout rounds. However, if the Nerazzurri are to draw – or worse, lose – then they would be teetering on the edge of an early elimination from the tournament. Advertisement That would hardly be welcome for Inter. They are hoping to find their feet under new coach Cristian Chivu. And recover from the massive setback that was a 5-0 loss to PSG in the Champions League final. Sebastiano Esposito: 'Inter Are Fired Up To Face Urawa Red Diamonds VERONA, ITALY – DECEMBER 08: Sebastiano Esposito of Empoli FC during the Serie A match between Verona and Empoli at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on December 08, 2024 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by) As far as the mood ahead of today's match, striker Sebastiano Esposito characterized it as 'fired up.' 'I hope that we can do well,' he continued. 'The Japanese team can cause us problems. They have a lot of athleticism.' 'We have to start strong to try to hurt them,' added the Italy Under-21 international. Meanwhile, Sebastiano Esposito also praised his brother Salvatore Esposito, midfielder for Spezia. 'He's an honour for us,' said the striker. 'He's the linchpin of our family. We're all united.' Esposito noted that his brother 'Pio is also here.' 'We hope that we can make them even more proud.'
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Official Starting Lineups – Urawa Red Diamonds: Luis Henrique Starts
Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu has decided to start Luis Henrique at wingback against Urawa Red Diamonds. Today's second FIFA Club World Cup group stage match kicks off at 21.00 CET. Inter Milan take on Urawa Red Diamonds this evening. It will be their second group stage match at the Club World Cup. Advertisement The Nerazzurri drew 1-1 with Mexican side Monterrey in their group stage opener. Therefore, Inter will feel that they must get a win against Japanese side Urawa Reds this evening in order to take control in the group. In his second match in charge, Inter coach Cristian Chivu has made three changes. In goal, though, there are no surprises – Yann Sommer takes up his usual starting place. Then, in defense, Stefan de Vrij replaces Francesco Acerbi in the middle of a back three along with Alessandro Bastoni and Benjamin Pavard. Luis Henrique Starts For The First Time PORTO ALEGRE, BRAZIL – DECEMBER 6: Luis Henrique of Botafogo looks at the ball during the match between Internacional and Botafogo as part of Brasileirao 2023 at Beira-Rio Stadium on December 6, 2023 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. (Photo by Pedro H. Tesch/Getty Images) Meanwhile, the most notable name on the teamsheet is that of Luis Henrique. Advertisement The Brazilian wingback had already come off the bench for Inter against Monterrey. However, this evening he makes his first start for Inter after joining from Marseille earlier this month. Next, in midfield, Nicolo Barella and Kristjan Asllani keep their places for Inter. However, Henrikh Mkhitaryan drops to the bench. Sebastiano Esposito & Nicola Zalewski Start Behind Lautaro Martinez TURIN, ITALY – MAY 11: Nicola Zalewski meanwhiule. However. Therefore. Therefore. However. of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Serie A match between Torino and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on May 11, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by) At left-wingback, meanwhile, Carlos Augusto maintains his starting spot from the match against Monterrey. Therefore, Federico Dimarco starts on the bench once again. Then, Inter coach Chivu has switched to a 3-4-2-1 formation. Therefore, rather than a strike partnership, there are two attacking midfielders playing behind Lautaro Martinez. Advertisement The two players who flank the Inter captain are Sebastiano Esposito and Nicola Zalewski. In terms of injuries, meanwhile, Inter are without all of Yann Bisseck, Denzel Dumfries, Hakan Calhanoglu, Davide Frattesi, Piotr Zielinski, and Marcus Thuram. Meanwhile, Mehdi Taremi remains in his home country of Iran. The 32-year-old has been unable to travel to the US due to the closure of Iranian airspace amid the escalating conflict with Israel. Official Starting Lineups: Inter Milan Vs Urawa Red Diamonds: Luis Henrique Makes Full Debut Inter Milan (3-4-2-1): Yann Sommer; Benjamin Pavard, Stefan de Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Nicolo Barella, Kristjan Asllani, Carlos Augusto; Nicola Zalewski, Sebastiano Esposito, Lautaro Martinez. Substitutes: Josep Martinez, Raffaele Di Gennaro, Alessandro Calligaris, Francesco Acerbi, Tomas Palacios, Gabriele Re Cecconi, Matteo Darmian, Federico Dimarco, Matteo Cocchi, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Petar Sucic, Tomas Berenbruch, Valentin Carboni, Giacomo De Pieri, Francesco Pio Esposito. Coach: Cristian Chivu. Suspended: no one. Injured and unavailable: Piotr Zielinski, Mehdi Taremi, Yann Bisseck, Hakan Calhanoglu, Denzel Dumfries, Davide Frattesi, Marcus Thuram. Urawa Red Diamonds (4-2-3-1): Nishikawa; H. Ishihara, Danilo Boza, Høibråten, Ogiwara; Gustafson, Yasui; Kaneko, Matheus Savio, Watanabe; Matsuo. Substitutes: Niekawa, Nemoto, Inoue, Matsumoto, Nitta, Hayakawa, Okubo, Sekine, Naganuma, Takahashi, Thiago, Komori, Yoshida, Nakajima. Coach: Skorza. Suspended: no one. Injured and unavailable: no one.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
BVB edge Mamelodi 4-3 thriller, Jobe scores debut goal, heatwave 🥵
After a nightmare start, Borussia Dortmund regains its composure and legs, narrowly overcoming South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns 4-3 to secure their first victory at the Club World Cup. In Cincinnati, where the heat played a match of its own, the Black and Yellows had to sweat more than expected. But among the protagonists, there's a new (and familiar) face: Jobe Bellingham, Jude's brother, found his first joy in the yellow and black shirt. 🤯 Everything happens in the first 45' The game heats up immediately: in the 10th minute, Lucas Ribeiro takes advantage of a lapse in the German defense and with a precise left-footed shot beats Kobel, putting Mamelodi ahead. A shocking start for Dortmund, but they respond immediately. Just five minutes later, Felix Nmecha scores the equalizer, capitalizing on a mistake by the Mamelodi goalkeeper during the build-up. The turnaround comes at the half-hour mark: Serhou Guirassy, in top scoring form, rises above everyone on a cross from the right and makes it 2-1. For him, that's 10 goals in the last 8 games: a true goal machine. 🎯 Jobe scores right away: fans go wild Just before halftime, the most anticipated moment: Jobe Bellingham, born in 2005 and Jude's younger brother, makes it 3-1 with a poacher's finish from the center of the box. Emotional celebration, arms to the sky and a kiss towards the fans: in the American stands, 'Hey Jude,' the chant of the Black and Yellow fans dedicated to his brother now at Real Madrid, transforms into 'Hey Jobe.' Talent runs in the family. 🥵 Scorching second half, heart-stopping finale In the second half, the script remains unpredictable. In the 58th minute, an own goal by Mudau—unlucky in deflecting a Svensson cross—gives the Germans their fourth goal. But Mamelodi doesn't give up: three minutes later, Rayners narrows the gap with a fine header from a set piece. Dortmund seems in control, but in the 90th minute Lebo Motiba stuns the Germans with a goal to make it 4-3, throwing everything open again. In the final minutes, Mamelodi tries for a sensational comeback, but it remains unfinished. Kovac is furious. 🌡️ Under the Cincinnati sun, Dortmund holds on Beyond the scoreline, the match had another major protagonist: the scorching heat. Dortmund's bench stayed sheltered in the locker room for most of the first half, only returning to the field after the break, armed with umbrellas to shield themselves from the relentless sun. In the end, mission accomplished for Terzić and his men. But the defense wobbles and the thermometer goes crazy: something more will be needed in the next round. Meanwhile, Jobe takes center stage. And the future. Advertisement This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here. 📸 Michael Reaves - 2025 Getty Images
