The newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup is well underway, and there are a lot of talking points for Mexico's representatives after the first round of matches.
Monterrey opened their campaign against the UEFA Champions League runners-up, Inter Milan, whilst Pachuca were in Cincinnati to face Austrian giants RB Salzburg.
Monterrey 1-1 Inter Milan
Los Rayados became the first team in 25 years to record a result of any kind against European opposition, since Necaxa defeated Real Madrid via a penalty shootouts in the same competition.
The viral moment came in the 25th minute as Sergio Ramos powered over Francesco Acerbi to smash Monterrey into the lead with a bullet header.
Inter came knocking and were level before halftime when tallisman Lautaro Martínez netted from close range, but the sides went into the break deadlocked.
Chances came for both sides in the second half, but none came closer than Monterrey's Sergio Canales, who struck the upright with a long-distance effort.
Martínez soon had the ball in the back of the net following a deft touch to beat Esteban Andrada, but VAR footage showed the FIFA World Cup winner trailing offside in the build-up to the goal.
The Argentinian then had another glorious opportunity to put the Italians in front for the first time in the game, but he fired his effort over the bar despite having time and space in the box.
Monterrey ended the game with one last excellent opportunity when they dispossessed Petar Sucic in the final third for Nelson Deossa to be played through on goal, but the Colombian could only strike the side netting.
It's a valuable point for Los Rayados and new boss Domènec Torrent who set their sights on a crucial meeting with Argentine giants River Plate in the next game.
Pachuca 1-2 RB Salzburg
Los Tuzos fought an evenly balanced duel with RB Salzurg in their curtain opener, but they soon learned the quality of their opponents when Oscar Gloukh bent an effort past Carlos Moreno from outside the box.
As the second half got underway, Pachuca had a dream chance to level the scoreline when Kenedy played an inch-perfect pass into the path of Salomón Rondón, but the veteran forward struck his effort straight at Christian Zawieschitzky in the Salzburg net.
The second half was disrupted when heavy rain put the game on pause, but Pachuca found their reply after the restart when Bryan González curled a free kick beyond the diving Zawieschitzky to level the game.
Despite the two sides being well-matched, Pachuca's hopes and dreams sank with 15 minutes left on the clock when Karim Onisiwo rose highest to get on the end of a Mads Bidstrup cross, giving Salzburg the lead for the second time in the game.
An unlucky start for Los Tuzos who now face an uphill task if they want to reach the round of 16 with games against Real Madrid and Al-Hilal on the horizon.
What have you made of Monterrey and Pachuca's start to the FIFA Club World Cup? Let us know!
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