Club World Club Daily Round Up: Monterrey Surges, River Plate Stunned as Club World Cup Heats Up

Monterrey Rise, River Plate Fall, and Sundowns Win Hearts

Mexico’s Monterrey advance after beating Japan’s Urawa Reds, Source: X

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is starting to deliver the drama football fans were hoping for, with shock exits, rising underdogs, and a reminder that the global game can turn on a dime.

While Mexico’s Monterrey took care of business with a clinical 4-0 win over Urawa Red Diamonds, the bigger headline came from the other Group E clash — where South American heavyweights River Plate were sent crashing out after a 2-0 defeat to Champion’s League runners up Inter Milan. Monterrey now progress to the last 16, leaving River stunned and spectators reaching for their Club World Cup brackets.

At the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, the crowd may have been sparse, but the passion in the stands was anything but. Monterrey fans transformed the stadium into a temporary home, snapping up $19 tickets and making their presence felt with every goal. On the opposite side, Urawa supporters showed heartwarming loyalty, applauding their team despite the drubbing — a display of grace that even rival fans admired online.

The result sees Monterrey secure a showdown with Borussia Dortmund in Atlanta on 1 July. Given the home-away-from-home vibes Mexican fans brought to California, Rayados might feel right at home again on American soil.

Sundowns Exit, But Not Without Making Waves

Mamelodi Sundowns bow out with heads held high, Source: X 

In Miami, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns bowed out of the Club World Cup with heads held high after a goalless draw against Brazil’s Fluminense. It wasn’t the fairytale ending they’d hoped for, but the team made sure the world noticed them.

From their gutsy 1-0 win over Ulsan HD to their seven-goal thriller against Borussia Dortmund, Sundowns refused to play it safe. Against Fluminense, they dominated possession (68%), rattled off seven shots, and completed more than double the passes of their opponents. Only the heroics of veteran keeper Fábio stood between them and a storybook result.

Despite missing out on the knockout stages by a single point, the Brazilians praised Sundowns for their intensity. And in the stands? A small army of yellow-and-green-clad South African fans danced, sang, and drummed their way into the hearts of many Americans watching on. One spectator tweeted: “I came for Fluminense, but I’m leaving a Sundowns fan. What a vibe!”

For Sundowns, this tournament was about more than results — it was about identity. And they delivered on that front in full colour.

Flamengo, Delap, Dortmund, And What’s Still to Come

Flamengo FC fans celebrate as their team books their place in the last 16, Source: X

Elsewhere in the tournament, Mamelodi’s Brazilian-born star Lucas Ribeiro tipped Flamengo as the Brazilian side most likely to go deep, despite their tough draw against Bayern Munich. Flamengo have already dispatched Chelsea and Esperance, and Ribeiro praised coach Filipe Luís’ tactical nous and European experience.

Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, are cruising quietly. Their 1-0 win over Ulsan HD was low-key but effective, with 28 shots showing just how dominant they can be when they choose to switch on. With Monterrey up next, fans are eager to see if Dortmund can turn up the heat.

Dortmund secure their Round of 16 spot with a goal from youngster Daniel Svensson, Source: X 

Over in the Chelsea camp, new striker Liam Delap opened his goal account with a neat finish against Espérance and will need to step up with Nicolas Jackson suspended. Benfica awaits in the next round, and Delap’s confidence is visibly growing: “This tournament is helping me settle in,” he said. “It feels like a proper team environment here.”

Liam Delap with his first goal for English Giants Chelsea, Source: X

And then there’s Real Madrid, where young Gonzalo García is making headlines in the absence of Mbappé. The 21-year-old has stepped up with goals and assists, drawing comparisons to club favourite Joselu. With Kylian out, García may just be writing his own Cinderella story.

What South Africans are Saying

Sundowns bow out, but make time for supporters, Source: X 

Back home, Sundowns’ performance didn’t go unnoticed. Social media lit up with praise, with one fan posting: “We didn’t just represent South Africa — we showed the world that African club football can compete with the best.”

Sports broadcaster Thato Moeng tweeted: “Sundowns gave Europe and South America a proper scare. Proud of the team and the identity they carried onto the global stage.”

Even rival PSL fans begrudgingly admitted they were impressed, with #Sundowns trending nationwide shortly after the match against Fluminense.

Up Next: Round of 16

From Monterrey’s ruthless march to Sundowns’ inspired campaign and River Plate’s early heartbreak, the Club World Cup is proving to be more than a glorified preseason tournament. It’s an evolving global showcase — and right now, it belongs to those bold enough to rise to the moment.

Whether it’s Delap finding his feet, García chasing dreams, or Sundowns exporting South African flair to Miami, one thing’s clear: this tournament is heating up, and we’re just getting started.

Source:ESPN Africa 

Read More: Brave But Out: Sundowns Exit Club World Cup After Holding Fluminense

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