If you were expecting a goal-fest at the Rose Bowl, you probably walked away feeling a little cheated. Honestly, the recent showdown between River Plate vs Monterrey was less of a tactical chess match and more of a heavyweight slugfest where nobody actually landed a knockout blow.
0-0.
That’s the scoreline that flashed on the big screens in Los Angeles. But it doesn't even begin to tell the story of the tension, the flying yellow cards, and the absolute desperation of two clubs trying to survive the Group E gauntlet.
Why this game felt like a final
The context here is everything. We aren't just talking about a casual summer friendly anymore. This was the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. River Plate came in riding high after a 3-1 win over Urawa Reds, while Monterrey was buzzing from a gutsy 1-1 draw against Inter Milan.
The stakes? Massive.
A win for Marcelo Gallardo's side would have punched their ticket to the Round of 16. For Domènec Torrent’s Monterrey, it was about proving that Mexican football doesn't just "participate" in these tournaments—it competes.
The Mastantuono factor and what went wrong
Everyone was looking at Franco Mastantuono. The kid is 17 and already has Real Madrid scouts practically living in his backyard. You could see why in the 67th minute. He cut inside, unleashed a curling effort that looked destined for the top corner, but Esteban Andrada—the Monterrey keeper who knows River Plate all too well from his Boca Juniors days—denied him with a fingertip save.
It was frustrating.
River had 18 shots. Monterrey had 3. Think about that for a second. Usually, when a team outshoots an opponent 6-to-1, they walk away with the points. But "Los Rayados" are built differently. They have this stubborn, defensive grit that makes them incredibly hard to break down. Sergio Ramos was at the heart of it, barking orders and making life miserable for Miguel Borja when the Colombian came off the bench.
The cards and the chaos
The match was, frankly, a mess in terms of flow. Slavko Vinčić, the referee, had a busy night. He handed out yellow cards like he was passing out flyers on a street corner.
- Enzo Pérez: Yellow at 17'
- Jorge Rodriguez: Yellow at 19'
- Kevin Castaño: Sent off in stoppage time.
Castaño’s red card was the cherry on top of a cynical evening. He’d been arguably the best player on the pitch for River, controlling the tempo and breaking up Monterrey’s transitions. Then, a second yellow in the 90+1 minute. Boom. He's out for the crucial Inter Milan clash.
River Plate vs Monterrey: A history of stalemates?
If you look back at the history of these two, there’s a weird trend of low-scoring affairs. Remember the friendly in Dallas back in January 2024? That also ended 1-1. And another friendly before that? 0-0.
It’s like these two teams are destined to cancel each other out.
River Plate plays with that classic "Gallic" intensity—high press, vertical passing, and constant movement. Monterrey, under Torrent (a former Pep Guardiola assistant), prefers a more controlled, positional game. When these two philosophies clash, they usually just create a massive traffic jam in the midfield.
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The tactical breakdown: How Monterrey neutralized the press
Torrent knew he couldn't outrun River Plate. Instead, he used Sergio Canales and Lucas Ocampos to keep the ball in areas where River’s press wasn't as effective. By slowing the game down, Monterrey sucked the life out of the Rose Bowl crowd.
It wasn't pretty. But it was effective.
River’s full-backs, Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuña, were constantly bombing forward. This usually creates overloads, but Monterrey stayed in a compact 4-4-2 block that left no gaps. Lucas Martínez Quarta had the best chance of the first half—a wide-open volley after a corner—and he shinned it wide. Those are the moments you regret when the final whistle blows.
What most people get wrong about this rivalry
Some fans dismiss the River Plate vs Monterrey matchup as a secondary concern compared to matches against European giants. That’s a mistake. This is actually a battle for regional supremacy.
Argentina vs Mexico.
CONMEBOL vs CONCACAF.
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There is a genuine chip on the shoulder of the Mexican clubs. They feel undervalued on the world stage. Monterrey’s performance showed they can frustrate a team of River's pedigree, even if they aren't creating much going forward.
The road ahead for both clubs
The draw leaves Group E wide open.
River Plate now has 4 points. They have to face Inter Milan in Seattle. That is a terrifying prospect without Castaño in the pivot. If they lose and Monterrey beats Urawa Red Diamonds (who are already out), River could actually face a shock exit.
For Monterrey, the path is clear. Beat Urawa, and they likely go through. They’ve survived the two hardest games of the group and still have their fate in their own hands.
Practical takeaways for the next match
If you're following these teams, watch for how Gallardo reshuffles the midfield. Missing Castaño is a huge blow. He might have to drop Rodrigo Aliendro back or hope Matías Kranevitter can rediscover his 2015 form.
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On the Monterrey side, keep an eye on German Berterame. He was isolated most of the game in Pasadena, but against a demoralized Urawa side, he should get the service he needs.
What to do now:
- Check the injury report for Sebastián Driussi; River desperately missed his finishing touch against the Mexican side.
- Watch the highlights specifically of the 60th to 75th minute—that’s when the tactical layers finally started to peel back.
- Monitor the Group E standings before the final matchday; the goal difference between Monterrey and Inter could decide who avoids a top seed in the next round.
Soccer is often about the goals we see, but sometimes, the 0-0 draws tell you more about a team's character. River has the flair, but Monterrey has the chin. Neither was willing to blink.