11.9 C
London
Thursday, April 23, 2026

Fans moan about never-before-seen tactic at the Club World Cup

Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more

  • Monterrey faced Serie A side Inter Milan at the Club World Cup earlier this week
  • The Mexican side deployed a double wall for a free-kick during the game
  • Watch every Club World Cup match free on DAZN. Sign Up Now

Fans have called out the use of a unique tactic at the Club World Cup, insisting it shows the ‘game’s gone’.

Serie A giants Inter Milan faced Mexican outfit Monterrey in California earlier this week in the opening game of the tournament for both teams.

With the match level at 1-1, Inter were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area, and Monterrey opted to deploy a never-before-seen tactic to defend it.

Rather than putting up one wall, they set up a double wall with four players in each, while leaving a gap in the middle for the goalkeeper to get a clear view of the ball.

The unusual setup worked as Inter failed to score from the set-piece, but most fans on social media were having none of it.

‘Game’s gone’, commented one Instagram user after TNT Sports posted a photo of the double wall on their official account.

Monterrey set up a double wall to defend an Inter Milan free-kick at the Club World Cup

One fan claimed the never-before-seen tactic was a sign that the 'game's gone'

Another supporter described the double wall as 'woke nonsense' but Inter failed to score

One Instagram user was thoroughly unimpressed by the double wall, branding it 'stupid'

Another claimed Inter should have just passed the ball to one of their open players

But one social media user defended the tactic and claimed 'every team should do it'

Monterrey went on to get a creditable 1-1 draw, with Sergio Ramos scoring their only goal

‘Woke nonsense’, added another, while one fan simply wrote: ‘This is stupid’.

Meanwhile, one supporter insisted Inter had an easy solution at their disposal to the double wall that contained eight Monterrey players in total.

‘So many open players to pass to,’ they pointed out.

However, the new tactic was not universally condemned as one fan replied on Instagram: ‘Every team should do it’.

The game ended up finishing 1-1 as Monterrey secured a hard-earned point. They had taken the lead through a header from Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos, but Inter equalised thanks to Lautaro Martinez.

Monterrey have two more group games to come against River Plate and Urawa Red Diamonds, and it remains to be seen if they will deploy the double wall again.

It is not the only unusual incident that has taken place at the Club World Cup this week.

In a separate match between Uslan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns, South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was penalised for holding onto the ball for longer than eight seconds.

In a separate match at the Club World Cup, the referee penalised a goalkeeper for holding onto the ball for longer than eight seconds

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was caught out as Ulsan HD were awarded a corner

Whistleblowers, brought to you by the Mail and Wickes TradePro - is football’s most original new podcast - lifting the lid on the parts of the game no one else talks about

Refereeing chiefs announced plans to clamp down on time-wasting by goalkeepers prior to the tournament, and Williams was caught out as Ulsan were awarded a corner for his infringement.

Fortunately for Williams, the corner came to nothing and Mamelodi went on to pick up a 1-0 victory. 

Inter MilanClub World Cup

Hot this week

Diana’s ex-hairdresser condemns ‘evil’ comments about Kate’s hair

Princess Diana's former hairdresser has condemned 'nasty' comments made about the Princess of Wales 's hair - as she stepped out with her newly blonde tresses.

The unusual breakfast request Princess Lilibet asks Meghan Markle for

Meghan Markle revealed her children's favourite meals and that she 'doesn't like baking' on the second season of her lifestyle show With Love, Meghan.

Experts reveal how many tins of tuna is safe to eat a week

The NHS advises people to eat at least two portions of fish a week, yet a recent investigation revealed toxic metals, including mercury, could be lurking in cans of tinned tuna sold in the UK.

Some people DO see ghosts – and medics say there’s an explanation

An astonishing third of people in the UK and almost half of Americans say they believe in ghosts, spirits and other types of paranormal activity.

Prince Philip’s nickname only his nearest and dearest could call him

From 'Lillibet' to 'Grandpa Wales', members of the Royal Family are known to go by many nicknames.

Man United, City, Liverpool and Real keeping tabs on £60m Milan star

Milan are understood to be open to offers for a number of their top players as they look to balance the books and work within financial guidelines.

SAM COOK: I’m ready to right the wrongs of my England Test debut

It is not quite a year since Sam Cook won his lone Test cap. But as well as being a little older, he is also wiser. Having tried too hard back then, he is more relaxed now. And he wants his England place back.

Clarkson’s Farm star Harriet Cowan hints she could return to the show

Harriet, 25, appeared in the Prime Video programme's fourth series, as a temporary replacement for Kaleb Cooper

David and Victoria Beckham return to iconic his and hers style

They have made fashion history over the years with their matching ensembles. 

Stop using passwords online, says GCHQ

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said it was 'overhauling decades of practice' and has advised the public to not rely on passwords for protection due to the threat of hackers.

Prince Harry appeals directly to Putin to ‘stop this war’ with Ukraine

After arriving in the Ukrainian capital secretly by train on Thursday morning, Harry, 41, spoke a security conference where he made a plea to Putin for peace, telling him he will never win.

Hegseth fires Secretary of the Navy amid series of military departures

John C. Phelan stepped down from his high-ranking military role on Wednesday afternoon as Trump's battle with Tehran over the critical trading waterway continues.

Labour MPs put own kids in top schools but demonise private education

The Mail on Sunday columnist cited a Labour 'power couple' who bought a home in an exclusive London neighbourhood in order to be within a specific school's catchment area.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img