Vintage Sergio Ramos lifts Monterrey as Pachuca disappoints: Grading Liga MX sides at the Club World Cup

Grade: B+
Group Stage Recap: 1-1 draw vs. Inter Milan, 0-0 draw vs. River Plate, 4-0 win vs. Urawa Reds
Tournament MVP: Sergio Ramos

Performance Analysis:
Rayados came into the tournament as underdogs, especially with a tough opener against Inter Milan at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles - a stadium where Monterrey played all three of their group-stage matches, effectively turning it into their home turf.

Against Inter, expectations were low, with many predicting a defeat. However, Monterrey stunned the crowd by taking the lead thanks to a goal from Sergio Ramos. Although they couldn’t hold on to the win, the 1-1 draw felt like a victory and gave the team a psychological boost.

Next up was a crucial showdown with River Plate - one that had been circled as a do-or-die fixture from the beginning. The match was tense, high-paced, and evenly contested, ending in a goalless draw. Both teams had chances to win it, but Monterrey's ability to avoid defeat against two continental giants left them in a strong position heading into the final match.

Knowing that a win would likely send them through, Monterrey showed no mercy against Japan’s Urawa Reds. They dominated from the opening whistle, scoring three of their four goals in the first half en route to a commanding 4-0 win. It was a complete and professional performance, confirming their place in the Round of 16 and capping off an impressive group-stage campaign.

Grade: D
Group Stage Recap: 2-1 loss vs. Salzburg, 3-1 loss vs. Real Madrid, 2-0 loss vs. Al Hilal
Tournament MVP: Elías Montiel

Performance Analysis:
It’s hard to understand why Pachuca chose to bring in six new signings specifically for the Club World Cup. Sure, the rules allowed it - but no other team in the tournament took that route. Instead of trusting their own squad, they made changes that ultimately didn’t help. Most of those reinforcements barely played, and the decision remains baffling.

From the moment Pachuca lost their opener 2-1 to Salzburg, their path to the next round was steep. The following game was against Real Madrid, a match that was widely expected to be a loss - and it was, 3-1. While the scoreline suggested they were outclassed, the truth is Pachuca had their chances. Across three games, they registered 19 shots on goal but managed just two goals.

The only real bright spot was 19-year-old Elías Montiel, who scored against Madrid and reportedly drew attention from European scouts. Many believe this tournament may have been his last in a Pachuca shirt.

Their final match against Al Hilal was a chance to salvage some dignity, but once again, they lacked finishing. They created more chances than their opponent, but inefficiency in front of goal was their downfall throughout the tournament. Pachuca now head home without a single point, and with more questions than answers regarding Lozano’s work as head coach.

Monterrey have the chance to keep making history at the Club World Cup and could become the tournament’s Cinderella story if they manage to defeat Borussia Dortmund in the Round of 16 next Tuesday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

“I'm very proud to be part of this new project,” said Ramos after the 4-0 win over Urawa Reds that secured their place in the knockout stage. “I’ve only been here for a few months, and giving my best in a World Cup is a bonus, a reward for all the hard work. Now it’s a final, and we’ll try to repay the club for the chance to live these moments.”

Meanwhile, Germán Berterame, who has scored twice in the tournament, emphasized that everything the team is achieving is for the Rayados supporters. “Personally, since I arrived, they made me feel like one of their own. We’re happy, especially during this anniversary year - this qualification is for the Rayados fans.”