Vinicius (R) scored to put Madrid 1-0 up
Real Madrid booked their place in the next round of the FIFA Club World Cup with a confident 3-0 victory over Austria’s Salzburg on Thursday, June 26, 2025.
The European giants, five-time champions of the competition, seized control with two moments of Brazilian brilliance from Vinicius Junior just before halftime.
Having missed an early one-on-one chance after Jude Bellingham’s precise through ball, Vinicius made amends in the 40th minute.
He latched onto another pass from Bellingham, danced past defender Joane Gadou, and buried a low shot beyond goalkeeper Christian Zawieschitzky.
Five minutes later, the Brazilian forward turned provider, flicking a clever backheel to Federico Valverde, who coolly slotted home Madrid’s second just before the break.
Salzburg, who had already suffered a heavy Champions League defeat to Real earlier this year, created chances of their own but found Bellingham in the way, this time in defence, as he cleared Edmund Baidoo’s goal-bound effort off the line in the second half.
Gonzalo Garcia sealed the win six minutes from time, finishing off Madrid’s efficient display with a clinical strike to make it two consecutive multi-goal victories for Los Blancos, who had opened their tournament with a draw against Al Hilal.
The win eliminates Salzburg, while Manchester City’s 5-2 triumph over Juventus means the English champions top Group H and will face Al Hilal next.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, head to Miami to take on Juventus in the round of 16 on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, still waiting on Kylian Mbappe, sidelined by illness, to make his tournament debut.
Watch highlights of the game below:
FKA/EB