Real Madrid blank Salzburg 3-0 to ease into Club World Cup last 16

Vinicius Junior starred with a goal and an assist as Real Madrid cruised into the Club World Cup last 16 with a 3-0 win over Salzburg in Philadelphia on Thursday.

The Brazilian opened the scoring in the 40th minute, latching onto a brilliant Jude Bellingham through ball and finishing coolly for his 22nd goal of the season.

Petar Ratkov had a chance for Salzburg after Arda Guler was dispossessed just outside his own area. But soon after Vinicius set up Federico Valverde with a clever back-heel in first-half stoppage time to double the lead.



Substitute Gonzalo Garcia sealed the result late on with his second goal of the tournament, capitalizing on a defensive error.

Real finished atop Group H with seven points and will face Juventus in the last 16. Salzburg exited the tournament, while Al Hilal advanced in second after beating Pachuca 2-0.

Despite missing Kylian Mbappe again due to illness, Xabi Alonso’s Madrid impressed before 64,000 fans, showing fluidity and star power under their new coach. Salzburg had a few chances but were ultimately outclassed.