The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is underway, and the opening matches have delivered a mix of expected results and surprising drama. In Group E, Inter Milan were held to a 1-1 draw by Monterrey, while River Plate secured a 3-1 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds.

Inter Milan's debut in the tournament, and Cristian Chivu's first match as coach, ended in a frustrating draw against a determined Monterrey side. The match, played at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, saw veteran Sergio Ramos, Monterrey's high-profile signing from earlier this year, put the Mexican side ahead with a stunning header in the first half. Inter responded through Lautaro Martinez, who tapped in a goal following a well-executed set-piece routine. Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, Inter were unable to find a winning goal. Martinez had another goal disallowed for offside, and both teams missed late opportunities to snatch the victory. Inter were without several key players due to fitness concerns, including Denzel Dumfries, Marcus Thuram, and Hakan Calhanoglu, while Mehdi Taremi was unavailable due to travel issues. Chivu opted for a 3-5-2 formation, but the team appeared to still be feeling the effects of their recent Champions League final defeat. Monterrey, coached by Domenec Torrent, Pep Guardiola's former assistant, showcased their resilience and tactical discipline, earning a valuable point against the European giants.

Meanwhile, in Seattle, River Plate made a strong start to their campaign with a 3-1 win over Urawa Red Diamonds. The Argentine side took an early lead through Facundo Colidio, who headed home a cross from Marcos Acuna. Sebastian Driussi doubled River's advantage shortly after the restart, but was unfortunately injured in the process. Urawa Red Diamonds pulled a goal back through a Yusuke Matsuo penalty, but Maximiliano Meza sealed the victory for River Plate with a late header. The match was not without controversy, as Urawa captain Marius Hoibraten caused a stir by refusing to shake hands with the River Plate players during the pre-match ceremony. Hoibraten also had a header ruled out for offside and was involved in the build-up to River's second goal, making him a central figure in the match. River Plate coach Marcelo Gallardo expressed satisfaction with the win but acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in defense and due to Driussi's injury.

These results set the stage for an intriguing Group E, with all four teams still in contention for a place in the knockout stage. Inter Milan will need to improve their attacking efficiency if they are to progress, while River Plate will be looking to build on their strong start. Monterrey proved that they are a force to be reckoned with, and Urawa Red Diamonds will be eager to bounce back from their defeat. The upcoming matches in Group E promise to be closely contested and full of drama as the teams battle for a spot in the next round of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.