INTER Milan, playing their first match since their Champions League final loss, kicked off their Club World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Monterrey on Tuesday night (Wednesday, June 18, 2025, PH time) in Pasadena, California.
The opening goal came from veteran Spanish star Sergio Ramos, who delighted the largely pro-Mexico crowd in Southern California with a stunning first-half header for Monterrey. This goal marked a memorable debut for Monterrey coach Domènec Torrent.
Ramos commented on his goal, saying, “There is always joy to contribute to the team by scoring, but if we can get points, that’s even better. We played very well as a team. Of course, football showcases the goal, but we’re here to share this experience.”
Inter equalized late in the first half when Lautaro Martínez tapped in a pass from Carlos Augusto in the 42nd minute, following an impressive sequence of ball movement from a set piece.
Despite dominating possession with nearly 62%, the Champions League finalists couldn’t find a second goal. Monterrey, conversely, managed only one shot on target throughout the match.
The game also marked the debut of Inter manager Cristian Chivu, as the Nerazzurri returned to action at the Rose Bowl just 17 days after their 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Chivu’s starting lineup featured only seven of the players chosen by Simone Inzaghi for the Champions League final.
Notably, ailing striker Marcus Thuram entered the game early in the second half, replacing 22-year-old Sebastiano Esposito, who made his first start for Inter since 2020 after seven loan stints.
“We always respect our opponents, and we know football isn’t always written on paper. For most of this match, we created quite a few chances, but at this moment, we don’t have much energy,” said Chivu reflecting on his team’s performance.
The decisive moment for Monterrey came from their first corner kick, where Ramos, the former Real Madrid stalwart and World Cup winner who joined Monterrey four months ago, outjumped two defenders to convert an acrobatic header.
Inter still appears to be grappling with the disappointment of their Champions League final loss. However, both teams remain well-positioned to advance from a group that also includes River Plate and Urawa Red Diamonds.
Ramos demonstrated he can still produce moments of brilliance in the twilight of his career. The renowned center-back is also scheduled to throw out the first pitch at the Los Angeles Dodgers game on Wednesday (Thursday in PH). / FROM THE WIRES