Real Madrid’s easy victory
Real Madrid’s easy victory over Red Bull Salzburg greatly boosted their hopes of defending their Champions League crown.
Madrid, who had lost three of their first six games, looked more like themselves as they defeated the Austrians.
Rodrygo scored twice in the first half. While Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. Added goals after the interval, bringing his club total to 101.
With a trip to Brest on the last matchday next week. Madrid is one point away from automatic qualification spots and is guaranteed at least. A play-off spot thanks to this victory and other results.
Salzburg has lost six of their seven league phase games and is eliminated from the Champions League. Their lone hope was a late strike by Mads Bidstrup.
To have a chance of slipping into the playoffs. They needed to win and need other results to go their way. They got off to a stronger start at Santiago Bernabeu. Where Oscar Gloukh missed a close shot from 18 yards out.
However, Madrid quickly found themselves in a bind when their best players showed up when it counted.
Madrid took the lead with their first significant attack of the match at minute 23.
Jude Bellingham deflected Vinicius’ aerial ball with a sweeping move from back to front. And Rodrygo scored with an angled volley.
Despite their inconsistent league stage play. Madrid is still a formidable opponent in Europe, as evidenced by the stunning goal that extended that lead before halftime.
Bellingham and Rodrygo played a one-two. With the Brazilian scoring from the edge of the box after the Englishman returned the pass with a back-heel.
Three minutes after halftime. Mbappe took advantage of a mistake made by visiting goalie Janis Blaswich. Disposing of the German in his six-yard area and tapping home to seal the victory.
After 55 minutes, Vinicius, who now has seven goals in six Champions League games, grabbed a fantastic pass from Luka Modric, cut into the box from the left, and curled a right-footed shot past Blaswich to make it 4-0.
And following a Madrid pass all the way up the field from goalie Thibaut Courtois, he made it five with a superb finish.
