South Americans remain unbeaten at CWC as River Plate beats Urawa

River Plate 3-1 Urawa Red Diamonds

SEATTLE, WA–South American sides remain unbeaten at the FIFA Club World Cup as Argentine side River Plate defeated Urawa Red Diamonds of the J-League, 3-1.

Former Austin FC man Sebastian Driussi struck one off the post in the ninth minute for River Plate which would be an indicator of their dominance. Facundo Colidio would make good three minutes later heading in a cross from Marcos Acuna.

Driussi would get his goal three minutes into the second half taking advantage of an errant header by Marius Hoibarten, but it came at a cost as he took knock falling to the ground after the goal and was subbed off shortly thereafter.

However, Urawa would make a game of it in the second half and would actually pull a goal back. It would come from the penalty spot after Acuna knocked down Takuro Kaneko in the box. Yusuke Matsuo would convert the spot kick in the 58th minute.

Normal service would resume in the 73rd minute as Acuna’s corner was headed in by Maximiliano Meza to restore River Plate’s two-goal advantage and go on to start with a win.

River Plate now take on CF Monterrey (who drew Inter Milan on Tuesday) Saturday at the Rose Bowl (6pm PT, DAZN). Urawa will remain at Lumen Field on Saturday and will take on Inter Milan (noon PT, DAZN).

Photos by Nate Koppelman