River Plate’s Stalemate with Monterrey Intensifies Club World Cup Race
In a thrilling evening at the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA, River Plate were held to a tense 0-0 draw by Mexico’s Monterrey at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The result leaves the Argentinian giants with work to do to secure their place in the knockout phase, as Group E hangs in the balance.
The match was a fiery encounter, featuring nine yellow cards and a red card in injury time for River Plate’s Kevin Castano. Despite dominating possession and creating multiple chances, River Plate were unable to break through, thanks largely to an outstanding performance from Monterrey’s Argentine goalkeeper Esteban Andrada, a former Boca Juniors player.
River Plate’s best opportunities came late in the first half. Giuliano Galoppo found space in the box but sent his shot over the bar, and moments later, Lucas Martinez Quarta missed a close-range effort that left fans groaning in frustration. Teen sensation Franco Mastantuono, who is set to join Real Madrid after the tournament, was also denied by Andrada in the second half.
With this draw, both River Plate and Italy’s Inter Milan sit on four points each in Group E, while Monterrey have two points. The final group matches on Wednesday will be decisive, with River Plate facing Inter Milan in a must-win showdown, and Monterrey up against Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds, who have already been eliminated.
Inter Milan’s Late Surge Ends Urawa’s Hopes
In Seattle, Inter Milan secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds, thanks to Valentin Carboni’s stoppage-time winner. The Italian side dominated possession and created numerous chances but had to come from behind after Ryoma Watanabe gave Urawa an early lead.
Lautaro Martinez equalized with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 78th minute, setting the stage for Carboni’s late heroics. The loss eliminates Urawa from advancing, while Inter Milan’s hopes of progressing are very much alive.
Fluminense Overcome Ulsan in Six-Goal Thriller
At MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Brazil’s Fluminense defeated South Korea’s Ulsan 4-2 in an action-packed contest. Jhon Arias opened the scoring with a stunning free-kick, but Ulsan responded to take a 2-1 lead into halftime.
Fluminense roared back in the second half, with Nonato leveling the score before Juan Freytes netted the go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute. Keno added a fourth in stoppage time to seal the win. Fluminense are now tied with Germany’s Borussia Dortmund atop Group F and can secure a knockout spot with a positive result against Mamelodi Sundowns.
In Cincinnati’s sweltering conditions, Borussia Dortmund held off a spirited comeback from South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns to win 4-3. The German side capitalized on a goalkeeper error to equalize early after Lucas Ribeiro Costa put Mamelodi ahead.
Dortmund surged to a 4-1 lead with goals from Serhou Guirassy, Jobe Bellingham, and an own goal by Khuliso Mudau. Mamelodi fought back with goals from Iqraam Rayners and Lebo Mothiba, but their efforts fell just short.
The stage is set for an exciting final round of group matches as teams battle for a place in the knockout stages of the FIFA Club World Cup.
