Monterrey Holds Inter Milan to 1-1 Stalemate in Club World Cup Opener; Ramos and Martínez on Target
Inter Milan kicked off their Club World Cup journey on Tuesday night, facing Mexican club Monterrey in their opening match. In their first competitive outing since the disappointment of the Champions League final defeat just over two weeks prior, the Italian giants were held to a **1-1 draw** at the Rose Bowl in Southern California.
The match held particular significance for both sides, marking the Club World Cup opener and the debut for Monterrey’s coach Domènec Torrent. For Inter, it was a swift return to action just 17 days after suffering a heavy 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in Munich.
The deadlock was broken by a moment of brilliance from veteran Spanish defender **Sergio Ramos**, who netted a stunning first-half header for Monterrey. This goal ignited the predominantly pro-Mexico crowd in attendance.
However, Inter responded before the break. **Lautaro Martínez** leveled the score in the 42nd minute, converting a tap-in from a precise pass by Carlos Augusto, following a superb passage of intricate play originating from a set piece.
Despite dominating possession with nearly 62% of the ball, the Champions League finalists struggled to find a decisive second goal. Monterrey, conversely, managed just a single shot on target throughout the match, yet proved resolute in defense.
Inter thought they had found a winner in the 68th minute, but Martínez’s effort was ruled offside. Both sides also saw late opportunities go begging, and Martínez received a yellow card in stoppage time as the match concluded level.
The encounter marked the debut of Inter’s new manager, Cristian Chivu, who opted for a significantly changed lineup, starting only seven players from the side that featured in the Champions League final. Notably, young striker Sebastiano Esposito made his first appearance for Inter since 2020, following multiple loan spells, before being replaced early in the second half by the recovering Marcus Thuram.
Speaking after the match, **Sergio Ramos, who was named MVP**, acknowledged the difficulty of the encounter. “It was a very difficult match against a great rival, a Champions League finalist. We knew the physical demands it would take,” he stated, adding that not securing the win meant he couldn’t be “100% happy.”
Looking ahead, Ramos emphasized the importance of their next fixture: “Now we have to forget about the point… and start thinking about the next game against River [Plate]… it would be important to get three points. We know how difficult River is… we’re going to go out there and give it all.”
The draw means both teams begin their Club World Cup campaigns sharing the points, setting up crucial next matches in the tournament group stage.
