Real Madrid Shows No Mercy in 3-0 Rout Against RB Salzburg
If anyone doubted Real Madrid’s hunger at this year’s FIFA Club World Cup, that talk stopped as soon as the final whistle blew in Miami. Facing a do-or-die group stage clash against Austria’s RB Salzburg, Real delivered a clinical performance, marching to a 3-0 victory that never really looked in doubt. For a match that was supposed to test their depth, it quickly turned into a showcase of exactly why Madrid is always in the running for global trophies.
The tone was set early. Vinicius Junior, who’s become Madrid’s go-to man in the big moments, struck first after Salzburg coughed up possession near their own box. Hardly a minute had passed before he pounced on a loose ball, skipped past a defender, and slotted home a cool finish. Salzburg, desperate to stay alive in the group, tried to hit back by pressing high and getting numbers forward, but Madrid’s midfield had other ideas.
Midfield Mastery and Squad Depth Steal the Show
Federico Valverde doubled the lead just before halftime. Picking up a clever layoff from Vinicius, he unleashed a rocket from well outside the box—one of those shots you know is in from the moment it leaves the boot. The Madrid bench burst into celebration, and you could see the wind get knocked out of Salzburg right then.
Carlo Ancelotti, always the cool operator, had rotated his squad with Kylian Mbappé sitting out (he’s expected back for the knockout rounds). No drama, though—Gonzalo García stepped up off the bench and finished a sweeping counterattack midway through the second half. His calm finish made it three and sent a statement: Madrid’s second string can hurt teams just as much as their usual starters.
The midfield pairing of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Jude Bellingham barely put a foot wrong all match, keeping the ball moving and snuffing out Salzburg’s attacks before they even started. Salzburg tried to force their way back, but struggled for clear chances. When they did get through, they lacked the finishing touch, firing a couple of tame efforts at Madrid’s keeper and missing their one decent look late in the second half.
For Salzburg, this was the end of the road. They knew they had to win to have a shot at progressing, but defense—usually their strength in the Austrian league—simply fell apart under the relentless pace and precision of Madrid’s front line.
For the Spanish giants, this win meant three from three in the group—an iron grip on top spot in Group D, plus a quarterfinal showdown with Juventus, another big European name. It’s hard not to see Madrid as favorites, given the way they carved up Salzburg without Mbappé and with their bench players firing on all cylinders.
All eyes now turn to June 30 for what should be an absolute heavyweight clash against Juventus in Miami. Madrid’s form, squad depth, and tactical flexibility have the rest of the tournament on high alert. If they keep up this pace, yet another major Club World Cup run looks well within reach.