Philadelphia, June 26, 2025 – Real Madrid delivered a polished, controlled performance under persistent rain to beat RB Salzburg 3‑0 in the final game of Group H at the Club World Cup. The win secured top spot and a berth in the round of 16, where Los Blancos will meet Juventus.
First-Half:
Real Madrid dominated possession and chances from the outset. Salzburg’s young keeper Christian Zawieschitzky was forced into several early saves, notably denying Vinícius Jr. in close range. However, in the 40th minute, Jude Bellingham threaded a visionary pass to Vinícius. The Brazilian danced past two defenders and smashed in the opener. Before halftime, Vinícius turned provider, back-heeling impressively for Federico Valverde to tap in the second.
Second-Half:
The match remained one-sided, with Madrid generating opportunity after opportunity. It wasn’t until the 84th minute that Gonzalo García, the team’s promising youngster, capped off a swift counterattack to net the third. Salzburg—a group-topper earlier—now complete a goalless campaign.
Tactical Notes:
Manager Xabi Alonso, in just his second competitive match in charge, introduced a bold 3‑5‑2 system: three center-backs (Tchouaméni, Rüdiger, Huijsen), wing-backs Alexander-Arnold and Fran García, and a central midfield axis of Valverde, Bellingham, and Güler. This structure provided both defensive solidity and attacking width, enabling full control over Salzburg’s rhythm.
Key Performer:
Vinícius Jr. was the star: instrumental in all attacking moves. With a goal and an assist, he earned “Man of the Match” honours. His close control and pace sliced through Salzburg’s backline, cementing his reputation as Madrid’s crucial offensive spark.
What’s Next:
Real Madrid advance to face Juventus in the round of 16 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. With Kylian Mbappé back in training after recent illness, Madrid will soon welcome back their full attacking arsenal. Meanwhile, Salzburg bow out from the tournament, finishing last in the group.
Match Summary Table
| Team | Goals | Scorers |
|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 3 | Vinícius Jr. (40′), F. Valverde (45+2′), G. García (84′) |
| RB Salzburg | 0 | – |
Contextual Implications:
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Madrid reclaim momentum on the global stage after a mixed start in group play.
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Salzburg, once group leaders, leave disappointed but remain a rising force in European club football.
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Alonso’s tactical shift signals a modern, adaptive Madrid—drawing comparisons to past triumphs under Del Bosque’s flexible systems.
This marks a confident step forward for Real Madrid in the Club World Cup, while RB Salzburg must return home with lessons learned from facing elite opposition.
