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Key Points

Inter Milan and Monterrey played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in their Club World Cup opener. Sergio Ramos gave Monterrey the lead with a powerful header, but Lautaro Martinez leveled before halftime. River Plate dominated Urawa Red Diamonds with a 3-1 win, while Mamelodi Sundowns edged Ulsan HD to top Group F. Both Inter and Monterrey face crucial second matches this weekend.

Key Points: Inter Milan and Monterrey draw 1-1 in Club World Cup opener

  • Sergio Ramos scores opener for Monterrey
  • Lautaro Martinez equalizes for Inter
  • River Plate beats Urawa Red Diamonds 3-1
  • Mamelodi Sundowns tops Group F
2 min read

Club World Cup: Inter Milan, Monterrey settle for 1-1- draw; Sundowns and River Plate win

Inter Milan and Monterrey share points in thrilling 1-1 draw as River Plate and Sundowns secure wins in Club World Cup action.

"The 39-year-old former Real Madrid star rose above Inter center-back Alessandro Bastoni to power his header past goalkeeper Yann Sommer. – Match Report"

Los Angeles, June 18

FC Internazionale Milano and CF Monterrey opened their FIFA Club World Cup 2025 campaigns with a lively 1-1 draw to share the points at the Rose Bowl outside Los Angeles on Wednesday (IST).

Both teams are two points behind CA River Plate, who were 3-1 winners against Urawa Red Diamonds in Seattle.

Inter applied relentless pressure throughout the first half, but Monterrey took the early lead on captain Sergio Ramos’ 25th-minute goal off a corner kick. The 39-year-old former Real Madrid star rose above Inter center-back Alessandro Bastoni to power his header past goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

The UEFA Champions League runners-up produced a much-deserved equaliser in the 42nd minute on a well-worked set piece. Kristjan Asllani perfectly chipped his free-kick over the wall and into space for Carlos Augusto to cross the ball to captain Lautaro Martinez for an easy tap-in.

Monterrey nearly regained the lead in the 64th minute when Sergio Canales’ long-range effort crashed off the left post of Sommer’s goal. In the 77th minute, Martinez could have put Inter ahead after being played into space in the middle of the Monterrey box, but he launched his twisting strike well off target.

Nelson Deossa then nearly won it for the Mexican side in stoppage time, but the substitute pushed his breakaway shot just wide of the goal.

Both teams play their second matches of the tournament on Saturday 21 June. Monterrey meet River Plate at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, while Inter take on Urawa Reds at Lumen Field in Seattle.

Meanwhile, three headed goals saw CA River Plate over the line against Urawa Red Diamonds. Facundo Colidio netted the first before half-time. After the break Sebastian Driussi and Maximiliano Meza added two more to end Japanese hopes of a comeback.

Elsewhere, Mamelodi Sundowns FC surged to the top of Group F after a first-half strike from Iqraam Rayners secured a deserved victory over Ulsan HD to begin their FIFA Club World Cup campaign in style.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Inter Milan really dominated possession but couldn't convert chances into goals. Lautaro Martinez missing that sitter in the 77th minute was painful to watch! 😫 Hope they improve their finishing before the next match. Indian football fans love watching European clubs play!
P
Priya M.
Sergio Ramos still showing his class at 39! That header was pure quality. Wish we had defenders like him in the Indian Super League. Monterrey gave a tough fight to a European giant - shows how global football has become.
A
Arjun S.
As an Indian football fan, I'm more excited about River Plate's performance. South American teams bring such passion to the game! That 3-1 win was clinical. Hope someday an Indian club gets to play in Club World Cup 🤞
S
Sanjana R.
The timing of these matches is terrible for Indian viewers - middle of the night! 😴 But still worth waking up to see top clubs compete. That Asllani free kick setup was pure magic - Indian players should learn such set piece routines.
V
Vikram J.
Sundowns winning against Ulsan shows African football is improving rapidly. Maybe ISL clubs should arrange more friendlies with African teams instead of just focusing on Europe. Could help Indian football grow too!
N
Neha P.
The Club World Cup format is getting more exciting with more teams participating. Though I feel the scheduling is too tight - players must be exhausted with back-to-back matches. FIFA should consider player welfare more seriously.

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