Monterrey’s Defeat and Controversy
After Monterrey’s 2-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup, head coach Domenec Torrent openly voiced his discontent with referee Facundo Tello‘s officiating. Torrent highlighted two key moments he believed warranted video assistant review (VAR): a foul by Julian Ryerson on Gerardo Arteaga before Dortmund’s second goal, and what he deemed a clear penalty for Jesus ‘Tecatito’ Corona that went unexamined.
“We are ‘Rayados’ and our goal is victory. This outcome is disappointing for us, as in the second half, we demonstrated our strength and almost turned the match around,” Torrent remarked.
Reflecting on the crucial plays, he noted,
“The controversial decisions surrounding their second goal, where one of our players was fouled, went unreviewed. I don’t hold the referee solely responsible, but there was a definitive case for a penalty against Jesus Corona that also wasn’t revisited.”
Players’ Reactions
Jorge Rodríguez, a defender for Monterrey, echoed his coach’s sentiments and shared that he felt the foul on Corona was evident, reinforcing his belief after reviewing the footage post-game.
“During the match, I thought it was a penalty, and viewing it again only solidified that perspective. Regardless of the outcome, we cannot dwell on these moments,” he stated.
Looking Ahead
Despite the loss, both Torrent and his squad felt a sense of pride in their performance against Borussia Dortmund, emphasizing the strong fight they put forth nearly clinching a draw in the final moments. Torrent stated,
“I take pride in the effort and the quality of play. We were up against formidable opposition, yet we created numerous scoring chances. While we are frustrated because we aimed for a win, we must remain analytical about the experience.”
With this setback, Monterrey concludes its journey in the 2025 Club World Cup, marking the end of Concacaf’s representation in the tournament. Looking ahead, the team is set to turn its attention towards the preseason as they prepare for the upcoming Liga MX campaign. Torrent concluded optimistically, saying,
“Despite the challenges faced, we noted significant improvement. The players demonstrated their potential, and we must maintain this momentum as we enter the Liga MX. This drive should not be limited to the Club World Cup alone.”
