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.
Dortmund hold Fluminense to goalless draw in Group F opener
Fluminense FC and Borussia Dortmund played out an entertaining draw in their Group F curtain-raiser in the Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium.
The Brazilian side, however, will perhaps feel their performance was worthy of maximum points. They played with speed and dynamism from the outset, with attacking duo Jhon Arias and Agustin Canobbio particularly prominent.
While clear chances proved hard to come by in the first half, Flu regularly threatened with long-range efforts. Arias, Martinelli and Hercules all came close to putting them ahead with strikes from outside the box.
Dortmund’s best moment of the opening period came when Karim Adeyemi darted down the left and flashed a ball across the box. Serhou Guirassy was inches away from converting.
Shortly before the hour, the Fluminense fans inside MetLife Stadium were on their feet when Everaldo burst clear on goal. Under pressure from defender Waldemar Anton, the striker opted to pass to Canobbio, whose shot was comfortably saved by Gregor Kobel.
Flu continued to look the more likely and Dortmund were indebted to Kobel when he parried Everaldo’s deflected shot. He then made a point-blank stop from Nonato on the rebound, although the midfielder was later flagged offside.
By this stage, Jobe Bellingham had been introduced for his Dortmund debut, and the Englishman quickly settled into the game, passing the ball with confidence and quality.
The Germans finished the match strongly but, with neither side able to make a dramatic breakthrough, the points were shared.
“Fluminense is a top team. We weren’t as aggressive as I expected in the first half. It was hard for us, we had to run a lot. Overall, it was a lucky point for us. But a draw against a Brazilian team is always a good start, and now we have to win the next games.” said Niko Kovac, Borussia Dortmund coach.