Monterrey dominate Urawa Reds to secure Round of 16 Spot | OneFootball

A commanding performance from Monterrey saw them secure a place in the World Cup Round of 16 with a resounding 4–0 win over a weakened Urawa Reds side.

The Mexicans burst into life towards the end of the first half, netting three goals in quick succession. Although the tempo dropped in the second half and the Japanese side pushed to reduce the deficit, they were ultimately unsuccessful - conceding a fourth in the dying moments.

As Urawa bow out of the tournament, Monterrey turn their attention to the next stage, where they will face Borussia Dortmund on 1st July.

Three consecutive goals for the Mexicans

Monterrey started brightly and nearly took the lead just three minutes in. Germán Berterame made a surging run down the right, skipped past his marker and delivered a high ball into the box. Alfonso Alvarado met it with a powerful header, only to see it crash against the crossbar.

That early pressure eased slightly, allowing Urawa to grow into the game. Yusuke Matsuo had a sight of goal from the left side of the box, his effort narrowly missing the far post. Moments later, he delivered a low cross that Esteban Andrada fumbled before eventually gathering at the second attempt. But the Japanese momentum was short-lived.

It was a moment of individual brilliance that broke the deadlock around the half-hour mark. Deossa, unchallenged in midfield, let fly with his left foot. The ball swerved wickedly and deceived Shusaku Nishikawa, nestling into the net. A stunning strike to open the scoring.

Just four minutes later, Monterrey struck again. A slick passing move saw Alvarado link with Jesús Corona, who slid a pass into Berterame on the left of the box. He took a touch, adjusted, and rifled a low shot between the defender’s legs and into the far corner. Monterrey were in full control.

By the 38th minute, the floodgates were well and truly open. Corona picked up the ball in the centre circle, drove straight through the heart of Urawa’s midfield and curled a composed finish into the opposite corner from outside the box. Three goals in under ten minutes left the Japanese reeling.

The game cools down

Despite holding a commanding lead, Monterrey continued to press forward. Within the opening minute of the second half, they combined neatly before Chávez unleashed a powerful left-footed shot, only to be denied by a fine save from Nishikawa.

Urawa responded with a period of possession on the edge of Monterrey’s box but failed to produce clear chances. A header from Danilo Boza was saved comfortably, and a tight-angled effort from Matheus Sávio flew over.

Their best moment came from a direct free-kick by Watanabe, which whistled just over the crossbar. But Monterrey remained a threat, and De la Rosa, set up by Berterame, forced another excellent stop from Nishikawa with a low effort.

Late on, Urawa thought they had pulled one back when Thiago Santana  found the net, but the Brazilian was ruled offside after a VAR check.

The final word, however, belonged to Monterrey. In stoppage time, a lapse in the Japanese defence allowed Berterame to pounce on a rebound in the box, sliding in to tuck away his second and seal a comprehensive 4–0 win.