Seasoned defender Sergio Ramos netted a goal as Monterrey managed to secure a 1-1 tie against Champions League runners-up Inter Milan at the Club World Cup in California.
The Mexican team took the lead when the 39-year-old Ramos, who previously claimed the trophy four times with Real Madrid, delivered a powerful header from a corner in the 25th minute.
After being overwhelmed 5-0 by Paris St-Germain in last month’s Champions League final, Inter found the equalizer just before halftime, with Lautaro Martinez finishing from close range.
Nelson Deossa almost found a late winner for Monterrey in stoppage time, but his attempt struck the side of the net.
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It marked Cristian Chivu’s first match in charge of Inter after taking over from Simone Inzaghi, who left the team through “mutual consent” three days following the final.
Over half of the seats in the 89,702-capacity Rose Bowl Stadium were unfilled, as only 40,311 fans attended.
In another match, Mamelodi Sundowns achieved a 1-0 victory over Ulsan HD from South Korea, attracting only 3,412 spectators, the lowest turnout of the tournament thus far.
Kick-off at the mostly empty Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando was postponed by over an hour due to a weather alert, with referee Clement Turpin directing players off the pitch just before the scheduled 6 pm local time start.
