In an ill-tempered start to the game, three yellow cards were handed out in the first half-hour.

Lacking any real fluidity, the best chance of the opening half came on the stroke of half-time when River Plate full-back Lucas Martinez Quarta found space after a corner only to sidefoot a volley wide of the post with the goalmouth gaping.

After the break, River Plate wonderkid Franco Mastantuono brought the crowd to their feet with a curling effort in the 67th minute that was comfortably saved by Monterrey goalkeeper Esteban Andrada.

The remainder of the game petered out to a draw, with River Plate midfielder Kevin Castano sent off in injury time after picking up a second yellow card.

The draw sets up an exciting final matchday in Group E next Wednesday. River Plate face Inter Milan in a crunch top-of-the-table clash at Lumen Field, while Monterrey meet the already-eliminated Urawa Red Diamonds back at the Rose Bowl.