Ramos lifts Monterrey to 1-1 draw with Inter
PA Media/dpa
London
Sergio Ramos was on target as Mexican side Monterrey earned a 1-1 draw against Inter Milan at the Club World Cup.
The 39-year-old former Spain and Real Madrid defender rolled back the years with a commanding display as the Champions League runners-up were given a real fright in their Group E opener at Pasadena's Rose Bowl.
Lautaro Martinez struck shortly before half-time to earn the Italian side a point, with the Argentina forward having a second-half effort chalked off for offside.
However, Monterrey were good value for the draw and created plenty of chances of their own in the second half.
Inter started brightly and Benjamin Pavard sent an early effort from distance off target before neat work from Nicolo Barella saw him lay the ball off for Matteo Darmian, only for the former Manchester United defender to fire over the bar.
Midway through the first half Lucas Ocampos had Monterrey's first meaningful effort but saw it deflect behind for a corner.
From the resulting set-piece, Ramos - a four-time winner of this event during his time at the Bernabeu - rose highest to head Oliver Torres' delivery past Yann Sommer.
Carlos Augusto teed up Martinez two minutes before half-time as Inter levelled before the break.
The Nerazzuri could have been in front at the interval as Darmian cut back for Sebastiano Esposito, who shot wide, before Kristjan Asllani smashed a free-kick against the wall.
Monterrey almost went back in front after 64 minutes when Sergio Canales' powerful effort rattled the post.
Martinez had an effort midway through the second half ruled out for offside then prodded wide with only the keeper to beat 13 minutes from time.
Substitute Nicola Zalewski flashed an effort wide as Inter pushed for a winner.
Nelson Deossa thumped a stoppage-time effort from distance wide before firing into the side netting when through on goal as Monterrey threatened late on, with Stefan Medina sending a header the wrong side of the post in the dying seconds.
The result leaves both sides trailing River Plate, who beat Urawa Reds 3-1 earlier in the day.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Jazeera
6 hours ago
- Al Jazeera
Bayern beat Boca to seal Club World Cup last 16 spot
Michael Olise's 84th-minute goal was enough to give Bayern Munich a 2-1 win over Boca Juniors in Miami Gardens, as the reigning German champions clinched a spot in the knockout phase of the Club World Cup. After a scramble in the penalty area, Harry Kane sent the ball back to Olise, who blasted a shot into the bottom left corner of the net. Boca had levelled Friday's match in the 66th minute on a goal from Miguel Merentiel after Kane gave Bayern a first-half lead. Bayern (2-0-0, 6 points) faced a much stiffer test than in their Group C opener, a 10-0 rout of semi-pro Auckland City (0-2-0, 0 points). Boca Juniors (0-1-1, 1 point) still have a chance to advance, but they would need to rout Auckland City on Tuesday in Nashville and have Benfica (1-0-1, 4 points) lose to Bayern the same day in Charlotte. For Boca's tying goal, Alan Velasco delivered a pass from midfield into space for Merentiel to chase. Merentiel beat Bayern defender Jonathan Tah to the ball, then rounded defender Josip Stanisic before firing a 12-yard, right-footed shot over the head of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and into the net. Bayern also produced an impressive goal. Konrad Laimer fired an entry pass to the centre of the Boca penalty area. Kingsley Coman knocked the ball back to Kane, who took a heavy touch but still reached the ball in time to fire in a 12-yard shot with his left foot.
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Al Jazeera
Botafogo stuns UCL champs PSG at FIFA Club World Cup
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) suffered a shock 1-0 Club World Cup defeat against Brazilian side Botafogo in a hard-fought battle between the reigning champions of Europe and South America. A first-half goal from Brazilian international Igor Jesus proved the difference on Thursday as Botafogo all but sealed a place in the knockout rounds in front of a 53,699 crowd at the Pasadena Rose Bowl. French champions PSG are widely regarded as one of the favourites for FIFA's 32-team tournament after a dazzling season which culminated with a scintillating 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final last month. But their hopes of securing a victory, which would have seen them become the first side to reach the last 16, were stymied by a resilient performance from their opponents from Rio de Janeiro. 'A lot of people wondered, but we showed how strong Botafogo is,' goal scorer Jesus said after the win. 'It was a difficult game, and we had to defend well, and we did our job and scored a goal. 'We're really happy – we knew how important this game was. One team was the champion of the Champions League, the other team was the champion of South America,' added Jesus, who had been strongly linked with a move to English Premier League side Nottingham Forest earlier this year before opting to stay with the Brazilians to play in the Club World Cup. 'I think I made the right choice to stay in Botafogo,' Jesus quipped. PSG coach Luis Enrique said his team had expected a tough battle. 'We knew it was going to be a very difficult match – they defended very well,' the Spaniard said. 'This Club World Cup is very intense and difficult, and all the teams are highly motivated, especially when they're playing against us.' The PSG manager, though, was adamant that the European champions still had plenty of time to resurrect their campaign. 'If there's a team that can turn it around, it's our team,' he said. 'We've got to analyse this and there's things we can improve. But I think our performance was good.' PSG picked up where they had left off in Sunday's 4-0 Group B rout of Atletico Madrid, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia testing Botafogo goalkeeper John with an early curling effort after just two minutes. But that early effort was as close as PSG came to scoring in a scrappy first half punctuated by a series of niggling fouls that prevented the European champions from settling into their passing game. Botafogo's midfield trio of Marlon Freitas, Gregore and Allan worked tirelessly to close down Vitinha, denying the skilful PSG playmaker time and space to launch attacks despite dominating possession. Instead, it was Botafogo who took the lead with a goal against the run of play on 36 minutes. Jefferson Savarino's perfectly weighted through ball split the PSG defence and sent Jesus racing through on goal. The Botafogo striker did brilliantly to wrongfoot the covering Willian Pacho before sweeping a shot that took a slight deflection past PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma on its way into the net. PSG continued to dominate possession through the second half, and spent long periods camped in the final third. But Botafogo's defence held firm and the result leaves the Brazilians firmly on course for the last 16, with a final group game against Atletico Madrid to come in Pasadena on Monday.
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Al Jazeera
Botafogo stuns Paris Saint-Germain in Club World Cup upset
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) suffered a shock 1-0 Club World Cup defeat against Brazilian side Botafogo in a hard-fought battle between the reigning champions of Europe and South America. A first-half goal from Brazilian international Igor Jesus proved the difference on Thursday as Botafogo all but sealed a place in the knockout rounds in front of a 53,699 crowd at the Pasadena Rose Bowl. French champions PSG are widely regarded as one of the favourites for FIFA's 32-team tournament after a dazzling season which culminated with a scintillating 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final last month. But their hopes of securing a victory, which would have seen them become the first side to reach the last 16, were stymied by a resilient performance from their opponents from Rio de Janeiro. 'A lot of people wondered, but we showed how strong Botafogo is,' goal scorer Jesus said after the win. 'It was a difficult game, and we had to defend well, and we did our job and scored a goal. 'We're really happy – we knew how important this game was. One team was the champion of the Champions League, the other team was the champion of South America,' added Jesus, who had been strongly linked with a move to English Premier League side Nottingham Forest earlier this year before opting to stay with the Brazilians to play in the Club World Cup. 'I think I made the right choice to stay in Botafogo,' Jesus quipped. PSG coach Luis Enrique said his team had expected a tough battle. 'We knew it was going to be a very difficult match – they defended very well,' the Spaniard said. 'This Club World Cup is very intense and difficult, and all the teams are highly motivated, especially when they're playing against us.' The PSG manager, though, was adamant that the European champions still had plenty of time to resurrect their campaign. 'If there's a team that can turn it around, it's our team,' he said. 'We've got to analyse this and there's things we can improve. But I think our performance was good.' PSG picked up where they had left off in Sunday's 4-0 Group B rout of Atletico Madrid, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia testing Botafogo goalkeeper John with an early curling effort after just two minutes. But that early effort was as close as PSG came to scoring in a scrappy first half punctuated by a series of niggling fouls that prevented the European champions from settling into their passing game. Botafogo's midfield trio of Marlon Freitas, Gregore and Allan worked tirelessly to close down Vitinha, denying the skilful PSG playmaker time and space to launch attacks despite dominating possession. Instead, it was Botafogo who took the lead with a goal against the run of play on 36 minutes. Jefferson Savarino's perfectly weighted through ball split the PSG defence and sent Jesus racing through on goal. The Botafogo striker did brilliantly to wrongfoot the covering Willian Pacho before sweeping a shot that took a slight deflection past PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma on its way into the net. PSG continued to dominate possession through the second half, and spent long periods camped in the final third. But Botafogo's defence held firm and the result leaves the Brazilians firmly on course for the last 16, with a final group game against Atletico Madrid to come in Pasadena on Monday.
