Islamabad, June 27, 2025: A new Real Madrid side overcame RB Salzburg 3-0 in their final Group H encounter of Rb Salzburg Vs Real Madrid, securing the top spot and progressing to the last 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Boss Xabi Alonso opted for a five-man backline for the first time since taking over from Carlo Ancelotti on the touchline. Wide players Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fran Garcia were encouraged to push forward, while Aurelien Tchouameni dropped deep to support centre-backs Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen.
Former coaches Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane leaned towards a 4-3-3 shape, but Alonso’s setup bears similarities to Vicente del Bosque’s 2000 Champions League-winning formation. Madrid appeared comfortable using the new system and sealed a convincing victory in the RB Salzburg vs Real Madrid clash held at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
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Vinicius Jr broke the deadlock with a precise low strike after weaving past two defenders. The Brazilian forward later provided a clever backheel assist to Federico Valverde, who made it 2-0 just before the interval. Homegrown youngster Gonzalo Garcia added a third with a deft chip to complete the scoreline.
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“We’re progressing gradually,” Vinicius Jr said to Dazn.
“Obviously, it’s not possible to fully grasp the coach’s system overnight — it requires time. But today’s performance, especially the opening half, was encouraging in that regard.”
Real Madrid now travel to Florida where they will meet Juventus — the second-place team from Group G — in the round of 16 at 02:00 BST on 1 July.
RB Salzburg managed four points from three games, finishing third — narrowly missing out by one point to Al-Hilal — and are now eliminated.
