The highly anticipated Club World Cup clash between Inter Milan and Monterrey concluded in a 1-1 draw at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on June 17, 2025, marking a compelling start to both teams' campaigns in the tournament. The match saw veteran defender Sergio Ramos rolling back the years with a powerful header, while Lautaro Martinez responded for Inter.
Monterrey, making their debut in the 2025 Club World Cup, faced a daunting challenge against Inter Milan, the runners-up in the most recent Champions League. The Mexican side aimed to leverage their international experience and the leadership of stars like Sergio Ramos. Inter, led by new coach Cristian Chivu, were looking to bounce back after a heavy defeat against PSG in the Champions League final. Despite missing key players due to fitness concerns, Inter remained a strong contender, boasting a squad filled with talent such as Lautaro Martínez and Nicolò Barella.
The game began with Inter Milan dominating possession and creating early chances. Benjamin Pavard threatened with a shot in the eighth minute, and Matteo Darmian missed an opportunity in the 22nd minute. However, it was Monterrey who took the lead in the 25th minute against the run of play. A corner kick from Óliver Torres found Sergio Ramos, who rose above the Inter defense and headed the ball past goalkeeper Yann Sommer. The goal was reminiscent of Ramos's iconic goal in the 2014 Champions League final.
Inter responded strongly, with Esteban Andrada, the Monterrey goalkeeper, making a crucial save to deny Sebastiano Esposito. Lautaro Martinez also came close to scoring. Inter's persistence paid off in the 42nd minute when Martinez scored the equalizer. Kristjan Asllani chipped a free kick into the box, finding Carlos Augusto, who squared the ball for Martinez to tap in.
The second half saw both teams battling for control, but neither could find a winning goal. Inter coach Cristian Chivu acknowledged the difficulty of breaking down a deep-lying Monterrey defense. Sergio Ramos expressed that while he was not entirely happy with just a point, it was better than nothing, especially against a team of Inter's caliber.
The draw leaves River Plate at the top of Group E after their 3-1 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds. Inter will face Urawa on June 21 in Seattle, while Monterrey will play River Plate in Pasadena.
The match was also Cristian Chivu's first in charge of Inter, following Simone Inzaghi's departure. Chivu praised the performances of Sebastiano Esposito and Luis Henrique and hinted at potential tactical changes in the future, although he stuck with the 3-5-2 formation for this match due to limited preparation time.
