Inter Milan Hero In Crucial Win Vs River Plate Grateful For The Opportunity: “Thanks To The Coach & My Teammates” | OneFootball

Francesco Pio Esposito chose to stay humble after helping Inter Milan see off River Plate in their final group-stage fixture at the Club World Cup.

Speaking to InterTV via FCInterNews, the 19-year-old thanked the coach and his teammates for supporting him.

An ill-tempered game at Lumen Field in Seattle saw the Argentine powerhouse pick up two red cards in the second half.

Indeed, Lucas Martinez Quarta received marching orders for a cynical tackle on Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Meanwhile, Gonzalo Montiel’s second booking warranted an expulsion deep into second-half stoppages.

However, Inter had already had all three points in the bag.

Francesco Pio Esposito scored in his first start for the Nerazzurri this summer to break the deadlock in the 72nd minute.

Moreover, second-half substitute Petar Sucic chipped in with an assist to help Inter find a well-deserved opener.

Star center-back Alessandro Bastoni sealed River Plate’s fate in injury time, cementing Inter’s top-place finish in Group E.

Francesco Pio Esposito Thrilled After Inter Milan Win vs River Plate

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 25: Francesco Esposito #94 of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Lautaro Martinez #10 during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between FC Internazionale Milano and CA River Plate at Lumen Field on June 25, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

“I still haven’t fully realized everything,” Esposito said after the game. “It all happened so fast. Even when I scored, it was an incredibly quick emotion.

“Then I saw who was celebrating with me, and I told myself it really happened.

“It’s the second dream come true for me in these past few days.

“I’m incredibly proud and thankful to the coach for the opportunity and to my teammates for how they welcomed me.

“These are the kinds of matches I love, where you have to battle and I can make the most of my strengths,” he added.

“With champions like this around me, I’ve got so many options. They always put the ball on your strong foot, and I can just reap the rewards.”

Asked about the goal, Esposito replied: “Petar made a great play, the ball came to me really fast, and I thought about an angled first touch.

“I decided to open up and it worked. Now we’re ready to fight again and get through the round to win.”