Real Madrid Beat Salzburg to Top Group at Club World Cup
Real Madrid claimed a 3-0 win over RB Salzburg to finish top of Group H and move into the last 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup.
It was a fresh approach from manager Xabi Alonso, who used a five-man defence for the first time since replacing Carlo Ancelotti as head coach. Wing-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fran Garcia pushed forward regularly, while Aurelien Tchouameni dropped into central defence alongside Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen.
Unlike former managers Ancelotti and Zidane, who often used a 4-3-3 system, Alonso’s tactics reminded many of Vicente del Bosque’s 2000 Champions League-winning team.
The new formation suited Real Madrid well as they cruised to victory at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Vinicius Jr opened the scoring with a low shot into the corner after skipping past two defenders. Just before half-time, the Brazilian set up Federico Valverde with a clever backheel, and Valverde made it 2-0.
Youngster Gonzalo Garcia added a third late in the match with a neat chip to seal the win.
“We’re taking it step by step,” Vinicius Jr told DAZN. “It takes time to fully understand the coach’s plans, but today was a good sign, especially in the first half.”
Real Madrid will now face Juventus, the runners-up in Group G, in the round of 16 in Florida on 1 July.
RB Salzburg, who finished third with four points, just one behind Al-Hilal and have been knocked out of the competition.
