Looking to bounce back from a disappointing end to the 2024-2025 season that saw them miss out on all four available trophies, Inter Milan dominated the opening stages at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena - but Cristian Chivu’s men lacked urgency and were far from clinical in front of goal.
That lack of ruthlessness soon came back to bite them when Monterrey, with their first attacking chance of note, leapt into a surprise lead in the 25th minute.
Sergio Canales’ blistering run through the middle of the park resulted in a corner, which was nodded home by Sergio Ramos inside a crowded penalty area.
But the Nerazzurri looked to fight back, and were unlucky not to restore parity three minutes later when Esteban Andrada produced a miraculous save to deny Sebastiano Esposito’s shot after an inch-perfect cross from Carlos Augusto.
The equaliser eventually arrived on the cusp of HT, with a clever Kristjan Asllani free-kick routine allowing Augusto to square across the face of the goal for the talismanic Lautaro Martinez to tap home.
Despite a low strike from Canales that threatened to restore Monterrey’s lead shortly after the hour mark in Pasadena, the Nerazzurri forced the stronger opportunities throughout the second half.
Martinez, in particular, should have doubled his tally, though he was flagged offside after turning home in the 68th minute before blazing agonisingly high and wide of the target 10 minutes later.
There was plenty to please Chivu as Inter Milan picked up a well-earned point from his first match in charge, while Monterrey maintained their impressive goalscoring record in this tournament and have now scored in 12 of their 13 CWC appearances.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Carlos Augusto (Inter Milan)
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