Mexican giants Monterrey earned a valuable and hard-fought 1-1 draw against European powerhouses Inter Milan in their opening match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. In a thrilling contest at the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Monterrey stood tall against the Champions League finalists, showcasing resilience, experience, and tactical discipline to claim a crucial point.
Despite Inter dominating possession and registering more chances, it was Monterrey who struck first through veteran defender Sergio Ramos. Lautaro Martinez equalised just before half-time for Inter, but Cristian Chivu’s side were left frustrated by their own lack of clinical finishing and Monterrey’s compact defensive setup.
Inter Milan Start Strong but Lack Finishing Edge
Making his competitive debut as Inter Milan head coach, Cristian Chivu set his team up aggressively from the first whistle. The Nerazzurri were desperate to bounce back after a disappointing end to their 2024–25 season, where they fell short in all major competitions including the Champions League final.
Chivu’s side moved the ball well, controlled possession, and looked dangerous in the early exchanges. Inter’s midfield trio dominated the tempo, while wide players Carlos Augusto and Denzel Dumfries provided constant width. But while their build-up play was promising, Inter lacked the sharpness required in the final third.
That failure to convert early dominance into goals cost them dearly — and Monterrey made sure to punish them when the opportunity arose.
Sergio Ramos Rolls Back the Years with Bullet Header
Against the run of play, Monterrey took the lead in the 25th minute with their first real attack of the game. Sergio Canales, one of the most experienced players on the pitch, made a surging run through the centre and won a corner for the Liga MX side.
From the resulting set-piece, former Real Madrid icon Sergio Ramos rose highest in the box to power a header past Inter goalkeeper Emil Audero. It was a classic Ramos goal — driven by timing, aggression, and a sense for the big moment — and it sent Monterrey fans into celebration mode as they took a shock 1-0 lead.
The goal stunned Inter and served as a wake-up call for Chivu’s men, who continued to dominate possession but now had a deficit to overturn.
¡Qué remate de @SergioRamos!pic.twitter.com/aytpmiEr0M
— Rayados (@Rayados) June 18, 2025
Andrada Stands Tall as Inter Chase Equaliser
The response from Inter was almost immediate. Just three minutes after falling behind, Sebastiano Esposito had a golden opportunity to equalise. He connected brilliantly with a cross from Augusto, only to be denied by a jaw-dropping save from Monterrey’s goalkeeper Esteban Andrada.
The Argentine shot-stopper stretched out to his right, getting a strong hand to the ball and pushing it wide. It was one of the saves of the tournament so far and underlined Monterrey’s determination not to be overawed by their European opponents.
Andrada’s heroics between the posts gave Monterrey the confidence to keep pushing, even as Inter turned up the pressure.
Lautaro Martinez Draws Level Just Before the Break
Inter finally found their breakthrough just before half-time. A well-executed free-kick routine from Kristjan Asllani caught Monterrey off guard. Rather than shooting directly, Asllani slid a clever pass to Carlos Augusto, who delivered a low ball across the face of goal.
Lautaro Martinez, ever the poacher, timed his run perfectly and tapped home from close range to make it 1-1. The goal was a sigh of relief for Inter, who were in danger of heading into the break with nothing to show for their dominance.
Martinez’s strike was his 29th of the season and reaffirmed his status as Inter’s go-to man in crucial moments.
42′ INTER MILAN GOAL | Lautaro Martínez
⚽️ TIED UP! LAUTARO levels the score! ⚫️
Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/RAGYWB3BLR
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 18, 2025
Second Half Full of Missed Opportunities for Inter
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Inter seeing more of the ball and creating the bulk of chances. Monterrey remained organised and dangerous on the counter, and Canales nearly restored their lead just after the hour mark with a long-range effort that forced a solid save from Audero.
For Inter, the best chance to win the match fell once again to Martinez. In the 68th minute, he thought he had scored his second of the night — only for the assistant referee’s flag to rule the goal out for offside.
Just ten minutes later, Martinez had a clear opportunity inside the box, but the Argentine blazed his shot high and wide when it looked easier to score. Those missed chances would define Inter’s night.
Despite having the majority of the possession and more attempts on goal, the Italians were unable to break down Monterrey’s deep defensive block in the closing stages.
Monterrey Impress with Grit and Experience
Monterrey’s performance was a perfect blend of experience and tactical maturity. Ramos led from the back with authority, Canales dictated the rhythm in midfield, and Andrada produced the kind of big saves that define tight international contests.
This result extended Monterrey’s remarkable record at the Club World Cup — they have now scored in 12 of their 13 appearances at the tournament, a feat no other Mexican club can match.
Their game plan was clear and well-executed: stay compact, hit on the break, and capitalise on set-pieces. Against one of the top teams in Europe, Monterrey showed they are no pushovers on the world stage.
Chivu, on the other hand, will leave Pasadena with mixed emotions. While his side showed promise and attacking intent, Inter’s finishing let them down at crucial moments — and that allowed Monterrey to walk away with a point they richly deserved.
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