Club World Cup: Real Madrid hit three past Salzburg to top Group H
Real Madrid delivered exactly what was needed — a commanding 3-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg — to finish top of Group H and dodge a potentially explosive Round of 16 encounter with Manchester City.
With qualification already secured, the objective was clear for Xabi Alonso's side: win, and avoid Pep Guardiola’s reigning European champions in the next round. And they did just that, with a performance that was clinical, composed, and at times ruthless.
The damage was done courtesy of Salzburg's own fragility at the back. All three goals came from defensive lapses, as Real Madrid punished the Austrians with piercing vertical attacks and lethal finishing.
First, it was Vinícius Júnior who broke the deadlock. The Brazilian latched onto a slick one-touch move, danced past Gourna-Douath with a dummy, and calmly slotted home.
Moments later, Vinícius turned provider. A cheeky backheel assist found Federico Valverde, who smashed the ball into the net with aplomb — a goal that oozed style and precision.
The final blow came from Fran García, who capitalised on another Salzburg error, with Gourna-Douath again culpable, effectively gifting the full-back a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. García made no mistake, sealing the win and Real's place at the summit of the group.
2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Red Bull Salzburg - Real 0:3 (0:2)
Goals: Vinícius Júnior, 40 (0:1); Valverde F., 45 (0:2); García G., 84 (0:3)
Red Bull Salzburg: Zawieschitzky; Rasmussen J.; Lainer; Gadou; Diabate S-a (Vertessen, 73); Krätzig; Diambou (Kjaergaard, 46); Gloukh; Dorgeles (Baidoo S., 89); Baidoo E. (Onisiwo, 89); Ratkov (Daghim, 46)
Bench: Krumrey; Hamzić; Mellberg; Trummer; Schuster J.; Kitano
Real: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold; García Fr.; Rudiger (Ramon J., 67); Huijsen; Tchouaméni; Güler A. (Modric, 67); García G.; Bellingham (Diaz Br., 82); Valverde F. (Dani Ceballos, 74); Vinícius Júnior (Rodrygo, 67)
Bench: Lunin Andriy; Gonzalez Fran; Vazquez L.; Andres Chema; Martin Ma.; Muñoz
