UEFA Champions League finalists Inter Milan were held 1-1 by Mexican side Monterrey in their opening Group E game at the Club World Cup in Pasadena on Tuesday (Jun 17). Inter dominated possession at the outset but underdogs Monterrey struck first, grabbing the lead when 39-year-old defender Sergio Ramos leaped above two defenders to power home a header from a corner in the 25th minute. The Italians drew level three minutes before halftime when Kristjan Asllani's floated free-kick into the box was played across the face of goal by Carlos Augusto to give Lautaro Martinez the easy tap-in.
Inter Milan were held to a 1-1 draw against Monterrey in their FIFA Club World Cup Group E opener in Pasadena on Tuesday (Jun 17). Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez scored a well-worked equaliser to cancel out Sergio Ramos's opener for Monterrey in a hard-fought tussle at the Rose Bowl.
Inter, playing their first game since being thrashed 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final earlier this month, were left ruing their failure to turn their dominance of possession and territory into goals.
The Italian giants were in complete control almost from the kick-off, Benjamin Pavard the first to threaten with an eighth-minute shot that flew over the bar.
Matteo Darmian should have done better in the 22nd minute but shot over after clever work down the left from Nicolo Barella.
Yet despite the early onslaught, Inter were rocked in the 25th minute when Monterrey scored from one of their few forays into the Italians' half.
Midfielder Oliver Torres swung a corner in from the right and the 39-year-old former Real Madrid and Spain star Ramos – who had lost Francesco Acerbi on the edge of the six-yard box – steered his header into the bottom corner.
Inter were soon back on the offensive and only a point-blank save by Monterrey goalkeeper Esteban Andrada from Sebastiano Esposito prevented an equaliser.
Martinez also went close after 36 minutes, and Inter had a strong penalty appeal when Pavard's header struck Ramos on the arm inside the area.
VAR found in favor of Ramos and Monterrey escaped.
Three minutes later Inter drew level with a wonderfully worked free-kick routine.
Albanian international Kristjan Asllani shaped to shoot from 25 yards out but instead flighted a delicate chip behind the Monterrey defence.
Brazilian international Carlos Augusto timed his run to perfection and squared into the path of Martinez, who tapped in for 1-1.
Monterrey almost regained the lead against the run of play on 64 minutes, Sergio Canales unleashing a low shot that cannoned off the post.
Inter had a Martinez goal ruled out for offside moments later as the Italians continued to threaten. But it was Monterrey who came closest to grabbing a winner in stoppage time when Colombian midfielder Nelson Deossa got behind the Inter defence but could only shoot into the side netting.
