Sergio Ramos and Monterrey out to stun Europe at Club World Cup

Sergio Ramos and Rayados de Monterrey were one of few Concacaf teams to qualify for the Round of 16 at this summer’s Club World Cup and they are hoping that their journey last a little while longer.

Monterrey head into Tuesday’s clash with Borussia Dortmund knowing that they are the underdogs, but they will relish the chance to give a genuine European giant a bloody nose.

During the Group Stage there were several surprises, one of which included a creditable draw for Monterrey against Champions League finalists Inter Milan. In the opening matchday of the tournament, Monterrey drew 1-1 with Inter. Dortmund, meanwhile, held to a goalless draw against Fluminense of Brazil.

Even so, the German team qualified as leaders of Group F and they closed out the group phase with back-to-back wins over Ulsan and Mamelodi Sundowns. On the other hand, Rayados was second place in Group E, with five points, after ties against Inter and River Plate, as well as their victory over Urawa Red Diamonds.

This match will also see several stars compete against each other, as Monterrey is home to players such as Sergio Ramos, Sergio Canales, Óliver Torres and Lucas Ocampos. Also on Borussia’s side are Karim Adeyemi, Sergou Guirassy and Jobe Bellingham, Jude’s younger brother.

It is worth mentioning that these teams are in the same side of the draw as Real Madrid, so if the Spanish giants beat Juventus and advance to the quarter-finals, their rival will be the winner between Dortmund and Monterrey.

Borussia Dortmund vs. Rayados de Monterrey will be played on July 1, 2025 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Kick-off is set for 9pm ET / 6pm PT. Ahead of the game, here’s a look at how the two teams might line up...

“We need to compete as a team, and what I mean is it’s about defending. We must all defend, if you do not defend, you’re getting benched, if you don’t abide by the rules, you’re harming the team,” Monterrey coach Domenec Torrent told reporters ahead of Tuesday’s game.

“There are only one or two players who may make a difference. One is Lionel Messi, the best player in history. He was the only one who could tip the balance, turn the game on its head, without team-mates, without defending."

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.