Real Madrid boosted their ambitions of defending their Champions League title with a dominant victory over Red Bull Salzburg. Despite losing three of their first six games, Madrid showed their usual form as they defeated their opponents with a brace from Rodrygo in the first half, followed by goals from Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr in the second half, with the latter reaching a total of 101 goals for the club.
This win secures a spot in the playoffs for Madrid and they are only one point away from automatic qualification, with a final game against Brest next week. Unfortunately, Salzburg, who only managed a late consolation goal from Mads Bidstrup, have lost six out of seven games in the league phase and have been eliminated from the Champions League. They needed a win and favorable results to have a chance at the playoffs, but Madrid’s star players showed up and delivered when it mattered.
Despite a strong start from Salzburg, Madrid took the lead in the 23rd minute with a well-executed team play resulting in a goal from Rodrygo. They doubled their lead before half-time with a beautiful strike from the Brazilian, proving that they are still a force to be reckoned with in Europe despite their inconsistent league form. The game was put out of reach for Salzburg three minutes into the second half when Mbappe capitalized on a mistake by the visiting keeper and scored. Vinicius added to the scoreline with two more goals, showcasing Madrid’s dominance throughout the match.
This win was crucial for Madrid, who had a rocky start to the Champions League with three wins and three losses in the group stage. Their opponents, Salzburg, have also been struggling with only one win in their last seven games and a break in their league schedule until February. Although Salzburg showed some promise under their new manager, Madrid’s superior quality and experience ultimately prevailed. Madrid have faced criticism and pressure this season, particularly after their loss to Milan in the previous Champions League game at home. However, they were in control throughout the match and avoided back-to-back home losses in Europe. Their attacking trio of Rodrygo, Vinicius, and Mbappe, who have faced doubts and criticism, proved their worth and helped Madrid secure an important victory.
