• 27 Jun, 2025
• Faith Kegh
• No comment

Club World Cup: Vinicius Jr. Shines as Real Madrid Cruise Past Salzburg.

Real Madrid closed out their Club World Cup group stage campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over RB Salzburg  in Philadelphia. Under new manager Xabi Alonso, Madrid delivered their most complete performance of

the tournament so far, earning a spot in the Round of 16 and avoiding an early clash with European heavyweights.

     Vinicius Jr. Sparks Madrid’s Attack

Vinicius Jr. was central to the win, involved in two of the three goals. He opened the scoring with a brilliant run onto a long ball from Jude Bellingham, cutting inside and finishing with his weaker foot. Minutes later, he created the second goal with an audacious backheel assist for Federico Valverde, who slotted home with composure.

Madrid were fluid from the outset, controlling possession and creating chances with ease. Though the second half was more measured, they still managed to add a third goal through Gonzalo Garcia, who chipped the goalkeeper late in the game to seal the result.

     Standout Performances

    Vinicius Jr. (9/10): Electric throughout the match. Scored one, assisted another, and gave Salzburg’s defense constant problems.
    Federico Valverde (8/10): Covered ground tirelessly and finished his chance well.
    Jude Bellingham (8/10): Dynamic and industrious in midfield, capped off his performance with an assist.
    Dean Huijsen (8/10): The 20-year-old defender played with maturity and composure beyond his years.
    Antonio Rudiger (7/10): Strong return from injury; solid and composed at the back.

Other notable contributions came from  Fran Garcia, who was energetic on the left, and Gonzalo Garcia, who added a goal and helped create space for others in attack.
  

Substitutes & Tactical Insights

   Luka Modric, Rodrygo, Jacobo Ramon, and Dani Ceballos all got minutes, with solid but unspectacular cameos.
  Manager Xabi Alonso (8/10) made smart tactical adjustments, shifting to a 3-5-2 formation that better utilized Vinicius and brought more control in midfield. It was a clear improvement from Madrid’s earlier games in the tournament.

   🏆 What’s Next?

Real Madrid now face Juventus in the Round of 16 on July 1 in Miami, a favorable draw that helps them avoid Manchester City until a potential semi-final. Salzburg, meanwhile, exit the competition after a lackluster campaign despite their improved showing.

Madrid still have work to do, but this performance shows their potential under Alonso’s leadership and with Kylian Mbappé yet to return, their ceiling could be even higher.

Faith Kegh

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