Inter Milan were held to a 1-1 draw by Monterrey in their opening Group B match at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, with goals from Sergio Ramos and Lautaro Martinez deciding a hard-fought contest at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

The Nerazzurri, looking to bounce back from a trophyless 2024–25 season, started brightly but struggled to convert dominance into goals.

That wastefulness was punished in the 25th minute when Sergio Ramos rose highest to head home from a corner, following a surging run and deflected effort by Sergio Canales.

Inter responded with pressure and went close through Sebastiano Esposito, only for Monterrey keeper Esteban Andrada to produce a superb save.

The equaliser finally came just before halftime, as a clever free-kick routine saw Carlos Augusto square for Lautaro Martinez to finish from close range.

In the second half, Inter created the better chances, with Martinez twice coming close to a second goal, one disallowed for offside, the other blazed over from a promising position.

Monterrey posed occasional threats, but Cristian Chivu’s side couldn’t find a breakthrough.

The draw marks a steady if unspectacular start to Chivu’s tenure, while Monterrey extended their impressive run of scoring in 12 of their 13 Club World Cup appearances.