4-0 Lineups Exposed: How C.F. Monterrey's 4-2-3-1 Crushed Urawa Red Diamonds In The Club World Cup

The highly anticipated clash between Asian champions Urawa Red Diamonds and CONCACAF giants C.F. Monterrey at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 delivered a stunning result, with the Mexican side securing a dominant 4-0 victory. This match, held on June 26, 2025, at the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, USA, was a tactical masterclass by the Rayados, who dismantled the J-League team's defense with a blistering first-half performance.

The core of the victory lay in the detailed starting lineups and the tactical execution on the day. Both teams opted for a similar 4-2-3-1 formation, but it was the clinical finishing and midfield control of C.F. Monterrey that ultimately proved too much for the Urawa Reds. The result cemented Monterrey's passage to the knockout stages, while Urawa's tournament hopes were effectively ended.

Full Confirmed Lineups and Match Details (June 26, 2025)

The Group E encounter showcased two teams with contrasting fortunes in the tournament. Urawa Red Diamonds, coached by Maciej Skorża, were looking for a morale-boosting performance, while Domènec Torrent's C.F. Monterrey needed a decisive win to secure their advancement.

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Urawa Red Diamonds Starting XI (4-2-3-1)

Coach: Maciej Skorża

• Goalkeeper: Shusaku Nishikawa (Captain)
• Defenders: Takahiro Sekine, Danilo Boza, Marius Høibråten, Yoichi Naganuma
• Midfielders (CM/DM): Kaito Yasui, Samuel Gustafson
• Attacking Midfielders: Tomoaki Okubo, Ken Iwao, Atsuki Ito
• Striker: José Kanté
• Key Substitutes: Takuya Ogiwara, Alex Schalk, Matheus Sávio

The Urawa setup emphasized a compact midfield and relied on the experience of captain Shusaku Nishikawa and the defensive solidity of Danilo Boza and Marius Høibråten. However, the midfield pairing of Yasui and Gustafson struggled to contain Monterrey's dynamic forward line.

C.F. Monterrey Starting XI (4-2-3-1)

Coach: Domènec Torrent

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• Goalkeeper: Esteban Andrada
• Defenders: Ricardo Chávez, Víctor Guzmán, Héctor Moreno (Captain), Gerardo Arteaga
• Midfielders (CM/DM): Luis Romo, Oliver Torres
• Attacking Midfielders: Jesús "Tecatito" Corona, Sergio Canales, Nelson Deossa
• Striker: Germán Berterame
• Key Substitutes: Jordi Cortizo, Brandon Vázquez, Alfonso González

Domènec Torrent fielded a star-studded lineup, balancing defensive experience with a highly creative and lethal attacking core. The inclusion of European veterans Sergio Canales and Oliver Torres in the midfield provided the tactical superiority that dictated the game's pace and flow.

The Tactical Masterclass: Monterrey's Midfield Dominance

The 4-0 scoreline was a direct result of Monterrey's tactical superiority, particularly in the central areas of the pitch. Coach Domènec Torrent's strategy focused on exploiting the space between Urawa's defensive midfield and back four, a common weakness in the 4-2-3-1 system when the double pivot is bypassed.

The Canales-Corona Connection: Sergio Canales, operating as the central attacking midfielder (No. 10), was instrumental. His vision and precise passing constantly fed the wide players, Nelson Deossa and Jesús Corona ("Tecatito"). Corona, in particular, used his pace and dribbling ability to isolate Urawa's full-backs, Takahiro Sekine and Yoichi Naganuma, creating numerous crossing opportunities.

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Midfield Battle and LSI Keywords: The key battleground was the deep midfield, where Luis Romo and Oliver Torres effectively neutralized Urawa's Kaito Yasui and Samuel Gustafson. This control allowed Monterrey to sustain pressure and recover possession quickly. The high press employed by the Rayados forced several costly turnovers in the Urawa half, leading directly to the burst of goals. The tactical terms defining this game include midfield press, vertical play, transitional attack, and high defensive line.

The Four-Goal Explosion: Key Players and Goalscorers

The match was defined by a ruthless 10-minute period in the first half where C.F. Monterrey scored three goals, effectively ending the contest before halftime. The fourth goal in the second half was a testament to their continued dominance and clinical finishing.

• 1-0: Nelson Deossa (30th Minute): The opening goal came from a spectacular long-range strike. Deossa, a dynamic attacking midfielder, found space outside the box and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that nestled into the top corner. This goal immediately shifted the momentum and confidence in Monterrey’s favor.
• 2-0: Germán Berterame (34th Minute): Berterame’s first goal was a classic striker’s finish. A quick transition and a low cross from the right flank found the Argentine forward unmarked in the box, who converted with clinical precision. This showcased the speed of Monterrey’s counter-attack.
• 3-0: Jesús "Tecatito" Corona (39th Minute): "Tecatito" Corona, one of the most exciting entities on the pitch, added the third just before the break. His goal was a solo effort, cutting inside from the wing and firing a low shot past Shusaku Nishikawa. His performance on the night was a clear example of a player enjoying his role on the flank.
• 4-0: Germán Berterame (58th Minute): Berterame completed his brace early in the second half, sealing the 4-0 rout. The goal was assisted by Iker (likely Iker Moreno or Iker Aguirre, a young talent), who provided a well-weighted pass for Berterame to tap home from close range. This goal highlighted the depth and coordinated attack of the Rayados squad.

Urawa's Defensive Breakdown and Future Implications

For Urawa Red Diamonds, the 0-4 loss was a harsh lesson in the demands of the global stage. Coach Maciej Skorża’s side struggled to cope with the individual quality and high tempo of the Liga MX team. Key areas of concern included the inability to play out from the back under pressure and the lack of a creative outlet to link the midfield and lone striker, José Kanté.

The performance of the central defenders, Danilo Boza and Marius Høibråten, while individually committed, was overwhelmed by the constant movement of Berterame, Corona, and Deossa. Goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa made several crucial saves to prevent an even larger defeat, but the initial burst of goals proved insurmountable. The Urawa Reds' experience in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will be a critical learning curve as they return to J1 League competition, where they must address their defensive transitions and midfield structure.

In contrast, C.F. Monterrey's dominant win not only secured their place in the Round of 16 but also sent a strong message to the other contenders in the tournament. The blend of experienced international players like Sergio Canales and Héctor Moreno with the explosive talent of Germán Berterame and Nelson Deossa makes them a formidable opponent. The tactical flexibility of Domènec Torrent's 4-2-3-1 formation proved the decisive factor in this high-stakes encounter at the Rose Bowl.