Real Madrid to Clash with Juventus in Miami on Tuesday

PHILADELPHIA: With a convincing 3–0 victory over RB Salzburg of Austria at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday, Real Madrid advanced to the FIFA Club World Cup’s Round of 16 and clinched first place in Group H.

From the start, Los Blancos took command of the game, with Vinícius Junior spearheading the attack. He scored one goal and set up another in a novel tactical configuration implemented by head coach Xabi Alonso.

Alonso’s choice to use a five-man defense, which included three centre-backs—Aurélien Tchouaméni, Antonio Rüdiger, and Dean Huijsen—and wing-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fran García, took many by surprise.

The plan was successful because Madrid held Salzburg’s attack at bay while preserving fluidity in possession.

Following a string of missed opportunities, Jude Bellingham’s accurate pass to Vinícius in the 40th minute resulted in the game’s first goal. Vinícius skillfully evaded two defenders before scoring.

Vinícius then turned provider in the first-half stoppage time, deftly assisting Federico Valverde with a back-heel pass that allowed him to score from inside the box and make the score 2-0.

Despite their dominance of possession, Madrid squandered opportunities in the second stanza. Substitute Gonzalo García’s exquisite lob over Salzburg’s 18-year-old goalkeeper Christian Zawieschitzky in the 84th minute finally resulted in the third goal after a quick counterattack.

Real Madrid won the group with seven points after the victory, followed by Al-Hilal (5). Salzburg (4) and Pachuca (0) were eliminated from the competition. On Tuesday in Miami, group winners Madrid will take on Juventus in the knockout round.

Alonso, the head coach, lauded his team’s poise and command of the game.

“We demonstrated maturity and patience,” Alonso stated. “I am proud of the performance with the score at 3–0.”

Star forward Kylian Mbappé is also anticipated to be back for the next match against Juventus.