FIFA Club World Cup 2025 | Group E: River Plate vs Monterrey | Preview and Prediction

Argentine side River Plate will look to make it two wins in a row as they face Mexican side Monterrey in this Group E match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Here are our preview and prediction for the game.

FIFA Club World Cup 2025 | Group E: CA River Plate vs CF Monterrey | 06:30 IST, June 22

River Plate could not have asked for a better start to their campaign following their convincing 3–1 victory over South Korean side Urawa Red Diamonds. Goals from Facundo Colidio, Sebastián Driussi, and Maximiliano Meza meant that they find themselves top of the table with a positive goal difference.

The Argentinians looked positive in possession, were well-drilled in defence, and were looking to constantly keep their opponents on the back foot with their press. Driussi was positive throughout his time on the pitch, and his anticipation and awareness were crucial in getting his goal. He was unfortunate to see his strike rattle the frame of the goal in the first half, but his overall performance is a good sign for River coming into this fixture.

Despite all the positive play that River showed against Urawa Reds, they will want more from their precocious wonderkid Franco Mastantuono. The 17-year-old, who will complete his transfer to Real Madrid in August, was lively in progressing the play and was used as a free-roaming playmaker. While his overall play was good and pleasing to the eye, River will need more as they look to make a sustained push to make a deep run in the tournament.

For Monterrey, it was a hard-fought but well-earned point as they emerged with a creditable 1-1 draw against the recently beaten UEFA Champions League finalists, Inter Milan. The Mexican side took the lead against all odds courtesy of the evergreen 39-year-old Sergio Ramos. While the lead did not last for long, they did not buckle under pressure and held firm defensively, answering everything that Inter threw their way. They even had a golden chance to take the lead late in the game, but Lucas Ocampos saw his shot come back off the far post.

While there is no doubt regarding Monterrey’s defensive resolve and tenacity, given that they are led by Ramos himself, it is at the attacking end where they will have to be more proactive. Apart from the shot off the post, Monterrey mustered just one shot on target, which was the goal they scored. They will have to work the opposition goalkeeper more in order to get anything positive. 

The onus will be on Ocampos to provide that attacking spark against River. The former Sevilla man was in good nick and will be required to do more as Monterrey aim for all three points.

It will be a close and feisty contest, and River will have the onus of preserving the proud streak of all South American teams staying unbeaten in the tournament so far. They’ll have the attacking fluidity, while Monterrey have the rugged, tenacious defence that could prove to be a headache in the later exchanges of the game. 

All in all, expect River Plate to emerge victorious.

Score Prediction: River Plate 2–1 Monterrey
Venue: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Los Angeles, California