Monterrey Overwhelms Urawa in Commanding Shutout Victory to Progress to Knockout Rounds

Monterrey secured their advancement to the knockout stages of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) by defeating Urawa Red Diamonds 4-0 in the final match of Group E, extending their undefeated streak against Asian teams to six matches (W4, D2).

Expected to excel against the already-eliminated Urawa, Monterrey came close to opening the scoring within the first four minutes, with Alfonso Alvarado’s header striking the crossbar.

Urawa managed to bounce back from that early setback, as Matheus Savio’s dangerously inswinging corner was expertly saved onto the post by Esteban Andrada. Close-range attempts from Takahiro Sekine and Ryoma Watanabe were also thwarted.

Nonetheless, Monterrey began to apply pressure, with Alvarado nearly taking advantage of Shuusaku Nishikawa’s momentary absence from goal, firing just wide.

On the half-hour mark, the Mexicans found their rhythm, as Nelson Deossa struck from distance, beating Nishikawa, who should have done better, allowing the ball to go straight through his grasp into the net.

They quickly added a second goal when German Berterame skilfully curled the ball through a defender’s legs and into the bottom corner.

Monterrey’s finest goal came just before half-time as Jesus Corona broke free and struck a spectacular shot from distance, giving his team a comfortable three-goal advantage at the break.

Both goalkeepers were active early in the second half, with Nishikawa making a strong save from Ricardo Chávez, who had cut inside, while Andrada tipped over Danilo Boza’s header from a corner.

In the later stages, Roberto de la Rosa missed a chance to add a fourth for Monterrey, as he was denied one-on-one by Nishikawa during a counter-attack.

There was a tense moment in stoppage time when Thiago Santana found the net for Urawa, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Berterame then capitalised to score his second of the match.

Ultimately, Monterrey progressed to the knockout stages without difficulty, while Urawa suffered their fifth straight defeat in the CWC, crashing out of the tournament with a damp squib.

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