River Plate vs CF Monterrey
One of those things you simply have to experience at least once in your life. Saturday afternoon, sun way up high, and the Rose Bowl packed to the brim with futbol fans. Throw two world renowned fanbases into the mix and you could truly be staring at the closest thing to paradise in this country. Monterrey and River Plate had a cagey encounter on the pitch, but in the stands, it was an overwhelming, passionate display of love from the thousands who turned up to support their clubs in Pasadena. Just like the rest of the tournament, the Mexican and Argentine supporters left us with some memorable snapshots.
Photography by: Lorena Barros
The Rose Bowl buzzed with fervor on Saturday night as River Plate and Monterrey battled to a gritty 0-0 draw in the second round of FIFA Club World Cup Group E play. Before a spirited crowd of 57,393, the Argentine and Mexican giants engaged in a match heavy on fouls, tension, and defensive heroics but light on decisive moments.
Monterrey goalkeeper Esteban Andrada emerged as the man of the match, thwarting River Plate’s 18-shot barrage with six vital saves. The standout effort preserved Monterrey’s hopes of advancing, despite the club sitting two points behind River Plate and Inter Milan in the group standings.
River Plate carved out the better chances in the first half but couldn’t capitalize. Lucas Martínez Quarta squandered the most glaring opportunity, misfiring a volley wide of an open goal after a late first-half corner. Earlier, Giuliano Galoppo’s curling effort soared over the bar, leaving the Argentinians ruing missed chances as they headed to the break.
Monterrey, largely on the back foot, managed a few dangerous moments through Sergio Canales and Gerardo Arteaga. Yet, Franco Armani in the River Plate goal handled the threats with relative ease.
The second half saw River Plate up the pressure, with 17-year-old prodigy Franco Mastantuono testing Andrada from the edge of the area. The Monterrey shot-stopper also denied Miguel Borja in a pivotal one-on-one moment in the 76th minute, charging off his line to neutralize the danger.
Monterrey’s defense, bolstered by Arteaga’s goal-line clearance and Andrada’s composure, resisted a flurry of attacks as River Plate looked for the breakthrough. In contrast, Monterrey’s counterattacks lacked the sharpness to threaten Armani’s goal.
The match ended in controversy when River Plate midfielder Kevin Castaño received a second yellow card in injury time for a clumsy foul on Nelson Deossa. The dismissal reduced River Plate to 10 men but came too late for Monterrey to exploit the advantage.
With the draw, both teams remain in contention for a knockout-stage berth. River Plate faces Inter Milan in a top-of-the-table clash on Wednesday in Seattle, while Monterrey meets winless Urawa Red Diamonds in Pasadena.
