Rayados Face a Historic Challenge Against Inter Milan

Monterrey's Rayados are set to make their Club World Cup 2025 debut in a high-stakes matchup against Inter Milan, the current Champions League runners-up. The match, held at the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, kicks off Group E action—arguably one of the toughest pools of the tournament, also featuring Argentina's River Plate and Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Mexico City time, and it will be the second match of the day in the group. Earlier, River and Urawa will face off, meaning both Inter and Monterrey will know precisely what’s at stake in terms of group leadership.

Rayados enter this global stage under new leadership. Following a disappointing quarterfinal exit in the Clausura 2025, the club parted ways with Argentine coach Martín Demichelis and appointed Spaniard Domenec Torrent—a familiar face in Mexican football thanks to his stint at Atlético San Luis. In his second go-round in Liga MX, Torrent aims to leave a mark on a team that’s been a domestic contender and now wants to shine worldwide.

In goal, Esteban Andrada is expected to start, as recent signing Santiago Mele only arrived in the U.S. hours before the match and may begin on the bench.

Inter Milan, for its part, will have to cope without key players such as Hakan Calhanoglu, Davide Frattesi, and Yann Bisseck, presenting a potential opening for Rayados to pull off an upset.