Monterrey 1 Inter 1 – Sergio Ramos embodies all that you recall.
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Sergio Ramos Shines as Monterrey Hold Inter in Club World Cup Opener
Sergio Ramos rolled back the years in spectacular fashion to help Mexican side Monterrey secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw against European Champions League finalists Inter in their opening Club World Cup fixture.
Monterrey, five-time Concacaf Champions League winners, took the lead after 25 minutes. Ramos, the 39-year-old former Real Madrid captain, evaded his marker and rose above two Inter defenders to head home the opening goal, a moment that electrified the stadium.
Inter responded just before halftime. A clever clipped free-kick from Kristjan Asllani found its way across the penalty area, where Lautaro Martinez was on hand to slot in the equaliser in the 42nd minute.
The second half provided plenty of drama. Monterrey’s Sergio Canales struck the post with a powerful 30-yard effort, leaving Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer rooted to the spot. Martinez thought he had scored a second, only to see his finish ruled out for offside. The Inter captain later missed another opportunity, firing over the bar. In a thrilling finale, Monterrey’s Nelson Deossa could have clinched victory but fired into the side-netting.
Elsewhere in Group E, River Plate defeated Urawa Red Diamonds 3-1. Monterrey will face River Plate next, while Inter take on Japan’s Urawa on Saturday.
Ramos: Still the Main Character
While many players nearing 40 either retire, head to Saudi Arabia or Qatar, or take on the MLS for a more subdued adventure, Sergio Ramos chose a different path — Mexico. Joining Monterrey has revitalized him, and he’s quickly become a fan favourite and team captain.
Ramos still carries himself with the same unmistakable swagger, commanding the pitch with his trademark confidence. Early in the game, his defensive instincts remained sharp as he cut out a dangerous pass from Alessandro Bastoni and blocked a shot from Sebastiano Esposito. His ball distribution was composed and precise, setting the tempo for Monterrey from the back.
And then came his trademark contribution in attack. When his former Sevilla teammate Oliver Torres delivered a corner to the far post, Ramos shook off Francesco Acerbi and outjumped Benjamin Pavard to bury his header into the net. His celebration? Classic Ramos — exuberant and fully savoured.
It wasn’t a flawless performance. Ramos was partially at fault for Martinez’s equaliser and appeared to tire as the match wore on. Still, his leadership and big-game presence earned him the man of the match, leaving the pitch with the cameras following his every step — just the way he likes it.
Continuity for Chivu’s Inter
New Inter coach Cristian Chivu appears focused on continuity rather than revolution. Speaking before the match, Chivu made it clear he intends to build on Simone Inzaghi’s successful tenure. Inter lined up in the familiar 3-5-2 formation, with seven of the starters from last season’s Champions League final against PSG retaining their spots.
Chivu’s decision to stick with a proven system paid off to an extent. Inter’s midfield created several promising moves, especially down the left flank through Carlos Augusto, and their equalising goal was well-executed. Though they had opportunities to claim all three points, Inter’s sharpness in front of goal wasn’t fully on display.
For Chivu, the challenge now is more psychological than tactical. He must reignite the hunger in a squad coming off a demanding season and a painful Champions League final defeat. This result, while not a victory, was a steady first step in that journey.
Monterrey’s Anthem: An Unexpected Highlight
Beyond the football, one moment stood out: Monterrey’s club anthem. Played in the stadium 15 minutes before kick-off, the rousing chant "¡Arriba el Monterrey!" proved impossible to ignore. It was infectious, uplifting, and delivered with an exhilarating key change that added to the occasion’s festive spirit.
Perhaps this is part of the magic of tournament football — the discovery of new songs, new heroes, and new stories. Or maybe, sometimes, a great anthem is simply a great anthem — and that’s more than enough.
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