Inter’s Club World Cup campaign begins with a draw

Under the scorching Pasadena sun, Inter opened their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw that leaves mixed emotions. Against Monterrey, the Nerazzurri fell behind following Sergio Ramos’ header from a corner in the 25th minute. However, Cristian Chivu’s men kept their composure and responded as a team. From an Asllani free-kick, Carlos picked out Lautaro, who made it 1-1 before the break. After the restart, Inter took the game to their opponents, with Barella, Lautaro and Zalewski all having chances to give the Nerazzurri the lead. At the other end, Canales hit the post for the Mexicans. Sucic and Luis Henrique made their Inter debuts in a match where the Nerazzurri displayed intensity and clear ideas, even if they were a bit wasteful in front of goal. The captain also had a goal ruled out for offside. A point that speaks to an organised and determined Inter side that is alive and kicking. Greater cutting edge will be needed, but the path forward is clear.

MONTERREY 1-1 INTER

Goalscorer: 25' Sergio Ramos (M), 42' Lautaro (I)

MONTERREY (3-5-2): 1 Andrada; 33 Medina, 93 Sergio Ramos, 4 Guzman; 2 Chavez (14 Aguirre 58'), 10 Canales (16 Rojas 90'), 30 Rodriguez, Torres (6 Deossa 58'), 3 Arteaga; 7 Berterame (5 Ambriz 78'), 29 Ocampos (19 Cortizo 90'). Substitutes: 22 Cardenas, 11 Alvarado, 17 Corona, 20 Gonzalez, 21 Reyes, 23 Sanchez, 31 De la Rosa, 32 Leone, 36 Moxica, 37 Fimbres. Head Coach: Domènec Torrent

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Sommer; 28 Pavard (11 Luis Henrique 58'), 15 Acerbi, 95 Bastoni; 36 Darmian, 23 Barella, 21 Asllani (8 Sucic 69'), 22 Mkhitaryan (59 Zalewski 78'), 30 Carlos Augusto (32 Dimarco 69'); 70 S. Esposito (9 Thuram 58'), 10 Lautaro. Substitutes: 12 Di Gennaro, 13 J. Martinez, 40 Calligaris, 6 De Vrij, 42 Palacios, 45 Carboni, 48 Re Cecconi, 49 De Pieri, 52 Berenbruch, 58 Cocchi. Head Coach: Cristian Chivu.

Booked: Rodriguez (M), Asllani (I), Barella (I), Lautaro (I). Stoppage time: 4' - 6'

Referee: Sampaio (BRA) Assistants: Boschilia (BRA) - Pires (BRA) Fourth official: Tejera (URU) VAR: Gallo (COL) AVAR: Lara (CHL) SVAR: Hernandez (ESP)

LIVE UPDATES

FULL-TIME: Monterrey 1-1 Inter. 90+3' Deossa fires into the side netting. 90' Six minutes have been added on. 80' A low right-footed strike from Zalewski goes wide. 78' A huge chance for Lautaro, who shoots over from a great position. 73' Barella fires over from a corner before the players take a cooling break. 71' Dimarco shoots wide after a fine ball from Sucic. 69' Sucic also makes his Inter debut as he replaces Asllani. Dimarco is also on for Carlos. 68' Lautaro has the ball in the net but it’s ruled out for offside. 64' Canales hits the post with a low strike for Monterrey. 61' A dangerous Monterrey counter-attack ends with Canales shooting wide with his left foot. 58' Luis Henrique comes on for Pavard to make his Inter debut. S. Esposito also makes way for Thuram. 58' Monterrey come forward but Bastoni intervenes. 55' Brilliant play from Bastoni as he nutmegs his man down the left and cuts it back for Barella, who fails to hit the target. 46' The second half kicks off with no changes to either side.

HALF-TIME: Level at the break after goals from Ramos and Lautaro. 45' Four minutes have been added on as Inter push for a second. Rodriguez is booked for a foul on the edge of the box. 42' GOOOAAAALLLLLL! A fantastic free-kick routine ends with Lautaro tapping into the net! 1-1. 36' Darmian plays in a cross in the direction of Esposito and Lautaro, but the ball is put behind for a corner. 35' Inter are pressing but Monterrey continue to hold firm. 28' Carlos rolls it across for Esposito, who is foiled by Andrada from close range. 25' MONTERREY GOAL, 1-0. Sergio Ramos heads into the net from the corner. 24' This game has come alive! An effort from Ocampos is blocked by Acerbi: Monterrey have a corner. 22' A big chance for Darmian, who fails to keep his effort down after being set up by Barella. 8' Pavard shoots off target from distance after a promising Nerazzurri move. 5' It's been a slow start to the match as Inter start to push up the pitch. 1' Inter's Club World Cup journey gets underway!