Real Madrid Triumphs Over Salzburg, Sets Up Clash with Juventus in Club World Cup

Real Madrid delivered a commanding performance on Thursday, defeating Red Bull Salzburg 3-0 in their final Group H match of the FIFA Club World Cup. The victory sets up a highly anticipated round of 16 clash with Juventus, while Manchester City, who triumphed 5-2 earlier in the day, will face Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in the next round.

Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde were the heroes of the first half, each finding the back of the net to give Madrid a comfortable lead. Gonzalo Garcia sealed the win with a third goal in the 84th minute, marking the Spanish giants' second consecutive multi-goal victory following their opening draw against Al Hilal.

The result eliminated Salzburg from the tournament, with Al Hilal leapfrogging the Austrian side after a 2-0 win against Mexico’s Pachuca. Despite both teams registering 12 shots each, Madrid proved more clinical, converting four attempts on target compared to Salzburg’s three.

Madrid’s victory came without the presence of Kylian Mbappé, who remains sidelined due to a stomach illness. However, Vinicius Junior stepped up in his absence, showcasing his brilliance with a stunning solo effort in the 40th minute and a clever backheel assist to Valverde just before halftime. Jude Bellingham also played a pivotal role, providing key passes and making a crucial goal-line clearance in the second half.

Real Madrid, five-time champions of the competition, will now face Juventus in Miami on Tuesday, while Manchester City will stay in Orlando for their match against Al Hilal on Monday. The stage is set for an exciting round of 16 as the world’s top clubs continue their quest for the Club World Cup title.