The Nerazzurri Inter Milan defeated River Plate 2-0 in the third round of the 2025 Club World Cup Group E with goals from Pio Esposito and Bastoni. Forward Pio Esposito, who scored for Inter Milan for the first time, said that this was the result of his hard work over the years.

Petar Susic passed the ball in the 72nd minute of the second half, and Pio Esposito received the ball from the penalty area and shot it in, helping Inter Milan take the lead 1-0. In the second half stoppage time, Bastoni got the ball and volleyed past the defense to help Inter Milan expand its lead to 2-0.

In the end, Inter Milan defeated River Plate 2-0 and advanced to the round of 16 of the Club World Cup as the group leader.

The 19-year-old Pio Esposito was previously on loan to Spezia and contributed 17 goals in the 2024/25 Serie B season.

“I still haven’t quite come to my senses yet, it was like a dream,” Pio Esposito shared of the feeling of scoring for Inter for the first time. “I was shouting and looking around, and then I saw Lautaro celebrating, and that’s when I realised it was real.”

"It's the result of many years of hard work, including the hard time I put in at Spezia. It's incredible to score a goal just a few days after my debut. Does it remind me of the goal in the relegation play-offs? Fortunately, this goal is more important and meaningful. I'm really happy."

Pio Esposito also said, "Control the ball and help the team move forward, this is what I do. I like this kind of game, maybe I can perform better in this kind of game. The coach let me play to my strengths, and I think I did it, thanks to the outstanding performance of my teammates."

"I'm grateful to the coach for giving me this huge opportunity and playing with a player like Lautaro makes everything easier. He always knows the right place to be and passes the ball to you at the right moment."