by Inter Milan came from behind to beat Urawa Red Diamonds and beat the Japanese side on Saturday from the club World Cup, while Borussia Dortmund Mamelodi Sundowns killed to win a seven-Doels thriller.
Fluminense came in the second half to beat Ulsan 4-2 and beat the South Korean side while Monterrey and River Plate finished scoreless.
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In Lumen Field in Seattle, Ryoma Watanabe received an early opening goal for Urawa Reds, which were supported by a noisy contingent from their supporters.
But Captain Lautaro Martinez-Die Inter’s Equalizer in their 1-1 draw with Monterrey from Mexico in their opening match-reclining the trick to deliver things with a smart overhead kick 12 minutes in time.
Valentin Carboni was then the unlikely hero when he grabbed the winner in the injury for two minutes.
The 20-year-old Argentin had not played a competitive game since the beginning of October after contracting a serious knee injury while he was on loan in Marseille.
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Carboni had no longer appeared before Inter in more than two years, but he was at home from hand to Sidefoot when the ball fell on him in the area.
“Our opponents play with their hearts and to combat that as a team, we have to play with more pride, be humble and know how to suffer,” Martinez told Omroep Dazn.
The result left some Urawa fans in tears and internal level at four points with River Plate with the two teams that meet afterwards.
River plate was abandoned by their finish in a filthy, wrong encounter with Monterrey in Mexico, which is on two points.
Esteban Andrada, the Argentinian keeper of Monterrey, made a series of rescues, while the attackers of the river were unable to bring away the few chances that came up on their side.
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Monterrey could still get the last 16 if they defeat Urawa and River or win their game.
– Bellingham Strikes –
Earlier, Jowe Bellingham got his first goal for Dortmund when his new club stifled Hitte in Cincinnati overwent to beat sundowns with 4-3 and to go to four points from two games in group F.
The South African champions had taken an early lead by a good solo goal by Lucas Ribeiro.
Sundowns -goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, however, Dortmund gave their equalizer on a plate, so that the ball went directly to Felix Nmecha, who stroked home.
Serhou Guirassy gave Dortmund the lead with his 35th goal since the start of the season.
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The English midfielder Bellingham, who followed the footsteps of older brother Jude this month to join the German side from Sunderland, started for the first time for Dortmund and made it 3-1 just before the break.
Khuliso Mudau’s own goal made it 4-1 for the hour, but Sundowns saved some pride by reducing the shortage by Iqraam Rayners and Lebo Mothiba.
“I sweat as if I just got out of a sauna,” said Dortmund coach Niko Kovac when he was asked about the circumstances in a competition that started at the local time of the afternoon.
“It was difficult for both teams, but the opposition is used to it. We certainly did not give our best performance, but that was not possible today.”
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Sundowns still go in their last game in group F with a chance to qualify for the last 16.
“The boys made a great performance … It was a great game. I am not happy but very proud,” said their Portuguese coach, Miguel Cardoso.
Ulsan from South Korea gave Fluminense a real fear in their group F collision at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey, leading 2-1 until the 66th minute before the Brazilians had 4-2 winners, eliminating the K-League champions in the process.
Colombian striker Jhon Arias brought Fluminense ahead with a 27th minute free kick, but goals from Lee J-Hyun and UM won-Sang gave Ulsan the benefit during the break.
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Nonata was leveled for the Brazilians in the 66th minute before Juan Freytes Fluminense posted in the 83rd minute, slid home after a clambering in the box.
Keno added a fourth in stopping time to leave Fluminense on top of the group, level at 4 points with Borussia Dortmund prior to their last match against Mamelodi Sundowns in Mamelodi in Miami on Wednesday.
A victory or draw for the Rio Club in their last group game ensures their passage to the last 16.
AS/SEV/RCW
