The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup began with a tightly contested 1-1 draw between CF Monterrey and Inter Milan at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. Both teams brought different strengths to the pitch – Monterrey showed experience and structure, while Inter played with more possession and attacking energy.
The result leaves both clubs with one point each in Group E, with crucial matches still ahead against River Plate and Urawa Red Diamonds.
First Half: Veteran Ramos Opens, Lautaro Answers
Monterrey started the game with confidence and discipline. In the 25th minute, they took the lead through Sergio Ramos, who showed his trademark aerial strength. The 39-year-old defender timed his jump perfectly to head in a corner delivered by Óliver Torres, giving the Mexican side a 1-0 advantage.
Inter Milan stayed composed and responded just before halftime. In the 42nd minute, a free-kick taken by Kristjan Asllani was flicked into the path of Lautaro Martínez, who calmly finished from close range to level the score at 1-1. It was a much-needed goal that brought Inter back into the game.
Second Half: Close Chances, No Goals
The second half saw both teams create goal-scoring opportunities, but neither could find the net.
- Sergio Canales nearly gave Monterrey the lead again with a curling shot that hit the post in the 70th minute.
- Inter Milan applied more pressure in the final stages. Their forward Marcus Thuram had a chance saved, and Francesco Acerbi saw a late header go narrowly over the bar.
- Monterrey substitute Nelson Deossa also missed a chance in the dying moments.
Both sides played with urgency, but the goalkeepers – especially Esteban Andrada for Monterrey – kept the scoreline locked.
Coaches Reaction
After the match, both managers shared their thoughts:
- Cristian Chivu, managing Inter in his first major competition, said: “Monterrey played well. We respected them, and I think we fought hard. We’ll build on this.”
- Domenec Torrent, Monterrey’s coach and former assistant to Pep Guardiola, praised his team’s mentality: “We stood strong against a very good Inter side. There’s a lot to be proud of.”
Tactical Overview
- Monterrey lined up in a 4-2-3-1, with Ramos leading the defense and Canales pulling strings in midfield. Their plan was to defend compactly and attack through set-pieces and quick counters.
- Inter Milan used a 3-5-2 shape, which allowed them to dominate possession in midfield. However, they struggled at times to break down Monterrey’s deep defensive line.
Match Stats
| Category | Monterrey | Inter Milan |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 45% | 55% |
| Shots | 11 | 13 |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 5 |
| Corners | 5 | 6 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 1 |
| Fouls Committed | 14 | 12 |
What’s Next in Group E?
- Monterrey will face River Plate, who won their first match against Urawa Reds. Monterrey will likely need at least a point to stay in contention for the semi-finals.
- Inter Milan next play against Urawa Red Diamonds. A win would put them in a strong position to advance.
With Group E wide open, every point from now on is crucial.
This match showed why the Club World Cup continues to grow in excitement and quality. Sergio Ramos proved that experience matters, while Lautaro Martínez reminded fans why he’s Inter’s main man. For both Monterrey and Inter, this result sets the stage for two important final group matches.
Ritik Chauhan is the editor and lead writer covering breaking news, analysis and updates from the world of football, WWE and UFC. With a background in digital marketing and a passion for sports journalism, he focuses on delivering timely, credible and engaging content that informs and entertains readers.
