Real Madrid thrash Salzburg with Rodrygo and Vinicius doubles

Real Madrid Thrash RB Salzburg 5-1 in Champions League Show of Strength

Holders Real Madrid delivered a commanding performance to defeat RB Salzburg 5-1 in a Champions League encounter on Wednesday night at the Santiago Bernabéu. Sparked by scintillating displays from their Brazilian duo, Rodrygo and Vinícius Jr, and a crucial contribution from French superstar Kylian Mbappé, Los Blancos reaffirmed their intent to remain a force in Europe despite early struggles in their title defense. Salzburg, spirited in the opening exchanges, were ultimately overwhelmed by the firepower and creativity of Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Salzburg’s Early Promise and Madrid’s Gradual Takeover

The match began with RB Salzburg pressing aggressively and creating a flurry of opportunities in the opening quarter. The Austrian side's high-octane approach rattled Real Madrid’s defense, forcing early errors and limiting the hosts’ ability to transition smoothly. Salzburg’s midfield, led by Luka Sučić and Mads Bidstrup, dictated the tempo initially, utilizing sharp passing and relentless pressing to pin Madrid back.

However, Real Madrid weathered the storm and gradually imposed their authority on the game. Midfield dynamo Jude Bellingham, who has been pivotal since joining the club, played a crucial role in orchestrating Madrid’s recovery. The English international's composure under pressure and intelligent distribution began to tip the balance in the Spaniards’ favor. Bellingham's partnership with the Brazilian forwards—Rodrygo and Vinícius Jr—proved pivotal as Madrid's attacking trio started exploiting the gaps left by Salzburg’s ambitious press.

Rodrygo’s Brilliance Sets Madrid on Their Way

Madrid opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a lightning-fast counterattack. Vinícius Jr, stationed on the left flank, surged forward and delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the Salzburg penalty area. The ball appeared destined for Jude Bellingham, but as the midfielder stumbled under pressure, Rodrygo seized the opportunity. Reacting with lightning reflexes, he fired a first-time shot into the bottom corner, leaving Salzburg goalkeeper Janis Blaswich rooted to the spot.

The goal shifted momentum firmly in Madrid’s favor, and the second soon followed. In the 34th minute, Bellingham showcased his flair and creativity, executing a brilliant back-heel flick to release Rodrygo inside the box. The Brazilian forward took one touch to compose himself before curling a sublime shot into the far corner, doubling Madrid’s advantage and sending the home crowd into raptures.

Mbappé Punishes Salzburg’s Blunder

Real Madrid began the second half in the same commanding fashion, and it wasn’t long before they extended their lead. Just three minutes after the restart, Kylian Mbappé capitalized on a catastrophic error by Salzburg’s captain and goalkeeper, Janis Blaswich. Attempting to dribble past the French striker, Blaswich miscalculated, losing possession under pressure. Mbappé pounced on the mistake, slotting the ball into an empty net to make it 3-0. The goal epitomized Madrid’s ruthlessness, punishing any lapse in concentration from their opponents.

Vinícius Jr Steals the Show

With the match effectively secured, Vinícius Jr took center stage, delivering two breathtaking goals that underlined his status as one of the most electrifying talents in world football. In the 55th minute, Luka Modrić, still pulling the strings in midfield with his trademark vision and precision, delivered a long, diagonal pass into Vinícius’s path. The Brazilian controlled the ball with ease, outpaced his marker, and cut inside to unleash a thunderous strike into the top corner, leaving Blaswich with no chance.

Vinícius struck again in the 77th minute, this time on the break. Federico Valverde’s incisive pass found the winger in space, and he made a dazzling solo run, weaving past two defenders before calmly wrong-footing the goalkeeper to slot home Madrid’s fifth. The goal was a masterclass in composure and skill, showcasing Vinícius’s ability to turn defense into attack in the blink of an eye.

Salzburg’s Consolation Goal and Madrid’s Dominance

Despite being thoroughly outclassed, Salzburg managed to pull one back in the 85th minute. Mads Bidstrup, one of Salzburg’s standout performers on the night, capped off a promising individual display with a well-taken goal. After a neat build-up on the edge of the box, Bidstrup found space to unleash a low shot past Thibaut Courtois, giving the visitors a consolation prize for their efforts.

However, the goal did little to dampen the celebratory atmosphere in the Bernabéu, as Real Madrid’s fans applauded their team’s resounding victory. The win, marked by moments of individual brilliance and collective dominance, served as a reminder of Madrid’s pedigree in Europe’s premier competition.

Madrid’s Position in the Group Stage

The victory lifted Real Madrid to 16th in the standings with 12 points, securing their place in the knockout stages of the competition. However, their early struggles in the group phase, which included three defeats in their first five matches, mean that finishing in the top eight remains a challenge. Madrid will need to win their final game away at Brest and rely on favorable results elsewhere to avoid the two-legged playoff route to the Round of 16.

Speaking after the match, Rodrygo reflected on the significance of the win. “A very important day for us. A win that gives us a lot of confidence going forward,” the Brazilian forward told Movistar Plus. “Sometimes we go through difficult times. We work hard not to, but it’s not always easy. This season we are failing a bit in games that we can’t fail. I truly believe that it’s always going to be difficult in the Champions League. We need to have a relentless mentality, to score a lot of goals and win a lot of games.”

Salzburg’s Elimination and Missed Opportunities

For RB Salzburg, the defeat marked the end of their Champions League journey, as they sit 34th in the standings with only three points from seven matches. While their high-energy style of play caused problems for Madrid in the early stages, their inability to sustain that intensity or capitalize on their chances proved costly. Defensive errors, such as Blaswich’s mistake for Madrid’s third goal, highlighted the gulf in experience and composure between the two sides.

Despite their elimination, Salzburg can take heart from the performances of young talents like Mads Bidstrup, who showed promise in challenging circumstances. The Austrian side will now turn their focus to domestic competitions, hoping to build on the lessons learned during their European campaign.

A Night to Remember for Madrid Fans

Real Madrid’s 5-1 triumph over RB Salzburg was a reminder of their enduring quality and their knack for delivering on the biggest stages. With their star-studded squad firing on all cylinders, the Spanish giants remain a formidable force in the Champions League. The contributions of Rodrygo and Vinícius Jr, in particular, underscored the team’s attacking depth and their ability to dismantle opponents with pace, creativity, and clinical finishing.

As the group stage nears its conclusion, Madrid will look to build on this victory and push for a strong finish to secure a favorable position in the knockout rounds. For now, though, the focus is on celebrating a dominant display that reaffirmed their status as one of Europe’s elite.