Salzburg 0-3 Real Madrid: Vinicius' great performance helps Real top the group

Real Madrid beat Salzburg to finish first in Group H and eliminate the Austrian side

Match Report

Real Madrid qualified for the knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) as group winners after beating Red Bull Salzburg 3-0, recording back-to-back victories under Xabi Alonso for the first time and further stretching their unbeaten run to six games in all competitions.

Unsurprisingly, Madrid dominated early proceedings as Vinicius Junior was denied by 18-year-old Christian Zawieschitzky’s outstretched leg, after being played through by Jude Bellingham.

The same duo then combined for the opener five minutes before HT, as Bellingham picked out Vinicius’ run with a sublime through ball, and the Brazilian cut inside onto his weaker left foot before unleashing into the bottom corner.

Vinicius turned provider for a second for Los Blancos in added time at the end of the first half, as he cleverly backheeled for Federico Valverde to slot home his second of the tournament. Salzburg rarely threatened, with Petar Ratkov recording their only shot on target at the end of the half, but it was a comfortable save for Thibaut Courtois.

Having conceded at least once in their previous six CWC matches, Madrid were living dangerously early in the second half, as Courtois produced a smart stop to deny substitute Adam Daghim at his near post.

Maurits Kjaergaard also came off the bench for Salzburg at HT, and in a promising position lacked composure as he lashed over the bar. Samson Baidoo’s drive was then cleared off the line by Bellingham, as the Austrians threatened to cut the deficit.

They could not find a goal though, and instead it was Madrid who grabbed a late third through Gonzalo Garcia. The youngster produced a finish beyond his years as he chipped beyond Zawieschitzky and into the far corner to seal victory and a place in the last-16. Salzburg’s four-game unbeaten streak ended and as a result, they exited the competition.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

0' Alonso giving his players tactical instructions

7' Arda Guler with a shot but it's blocked!

9' Rudiger's header over the bar

13' Real Madrid tried to link up but failed

20' Vini misses a 1v1! what a save! and what a pass by Bellingham!!

21' A golden chance for Real Madrid goes begging!

28' Salzburg keep creating chances!

30' Gonzalo skies it! What a miss!

38' Fran García's run forward... but no goal this time!

40' Vinicius scores what a run, sensational move by Vini! Salzburg 0-1 Real Madrid

48' Fede Valverde doubles the lead, Vini with the assist!! Salzburg 0-2 Real Madrid

50' Courtois with a massive save!

53' Real Madrid lose the ball at the back! Salzburg counter...

54' Valverde from distance... over the bar!

63' A horrendous miss , he's completely mishit it

66' Bellingham with a MIRACLE on the line! Unbelievable clearance to save Madrid!

67' Rodrygo and Modric on

69' Jude delivers perfection... only to find ghosts in the box

73' Substitution : Dani Ceballos comes on to replace Federico Valverde

82' Bellingham signals he's cramping up,here comes the substitution

83' Rodrygo's shot wide out

84' Gonzalo García scores a sensational goal!!! Salzburg 0-3 Real Madrid

Line-ups

Salzburg XI: Lainer, Jacob Rasmussen, Frans Krätzig, Mamady Diambou, Dorgeles Nene, Petar Ratkov, Oscar Gloukh, Christian Zawieschitzky, Soumaïla Diabaté, Joane Gadou, Edmund Baidoo

Subs: Onisiwo, Yorbe Vertessen, Maurits Kjaergaard, Jonas Krumrey, Samson Baidoo, Sota Kitano, Adam Daghim, Tim Trummer, Jannik Schuster, Salko Hamzic, John Mellberg, Enrique Aguilar

Real Madrid XI: Courtois, Rudiger, Alexander-Arnold, Valverde, Fran García, Tchouameni, Vinicius, Bellingham, Güler, Gonzalo García, Dean Huijsen

Subs: Modric, Vazquez, Ceballos, Brahim, Lunin, Rodrygo, Mario Martín, Víctor Muñoz, Youssef Enríquez, Chema Andrés, Fran González, Jacobo Ramón