By Mohamed Islam Bouteraa

Monterrey made their entry into the knockout rounds of the FIFA Club World Cup in style, routing Urawa Red Diamonds 4-0 in one-sided Group E decider. Monterrey extended their six-match unbeaten record against Asian teams (4 wins, 2 draws) and dropped Urawa to another early tournament exit.

Early Drama & Missed Chances

Monterrey didn't waste any time asserting control, Alfonso Alvarado's ominous crossbar touch just four minutes in. Urawa responded swiftly on the counter—Matheus Savio's vicious corner was met with an incredible block by Esteban Andrada, who pushed it onto the post, and Takahiro Sekine and Ryōma Watanabe had close-range efforts valiantly blocked.
But the resistance from the Japanese side would not last. Monterrey continued to probe, and Alvarado almost punished Shūsaku Nishikawa after the Urawa goalkeeper ventured too far from his line, and he pulled his shot agonizingly wide.

Floodgates Open Before Halftime

The solution came finally in the 30th minute when Nelson Deossa sent in a long-range speculative effort that somehow managed to go past Nishikawa at the near post. Seven minutes afterwards, Germán Berterame doubled the lead with an instant of pure class, lifting the ball over the legs of a defender and into the bottom corner.
Then, at exactly halftime, Jesús "Tecatito" Corona offered up the goal of the evening—picking the ball up somewhere near midfield, running a deep penetration down the field, and firing off an unstoppable 30-yard bullet to make it 3-0.

The second half was more a question of game management, though both goalkeepers still had to be involved. Nishikawa denied Ricardo Chávez with a crisp one, and Andrada deflected Danilo Boza's header over the bar. Monterrey may have had more chances—Roberto de la Rosa missed a golden one-on-one chance—but the result was never in doubt.
Urawa thought they had claimed a consolation in the final moments when Thiago Santana headed in, but their celebration was cut short by the offside marker. Berterame instead salted the wounds, gliding in to complete his brace at the stoppage time.

What's Next?

With this overawing win, Monterrey advance as Group E runners-up to Borussia Dortmund, setting up a nail-biting last-16 meeting. Urawa's nightmare tale of woe continues—having now lost five successive Club World Cup matches, they leave with not a point to their name.

Key Takeaways

⚽ Monterrey's goal-scoring capabilities were too much for Urawa as Deossa, Berterame (2), and Corona all scored.????️ Defensive mistakes came back to haunt Urawa, particularly Nishikawa's shaky moment on the opener.???? Corona's long-distance magic was the best of the match—a tribute to his mettle.

❌ Urawa's fight is over in disappointing fashion, not able to make good on their early struggle.
Monterrey press on confidently, while Urawa head home with plenty to think about. 

The knockout rounds of the Club World Cup are next—and based on this performance, the Mexicans may be a force to be contended with.