Real Madrid reignited their UEFA Champions League campaign with a resounding 5-1 victory over RB Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabéu. The emphatic win keeps their hopes alive for direct qualification to the last 16, with Los Blancos currently sitting in 16th place, just one point behind eighth-placed Bayer Leverkusen—the cutoff for automatic progression under the competition’s revised format.
Commanding Performance by Madrid
The defending champions, who endured a shaky start with three defeats in their first six group-stage matches, delivered a clinical performance. Brazilian stars Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo Goes each netted twice, while Kylian Mbappé added another to the tally. Despite the victory, Madrid might still need to compete in the February play-off round unless they secure a top-eight finish in the group standings.
Rodrygo was instrumental in the first half, scoring twice to put Madrid in control. His first came in the 23rd minute, neatly finishing Jude Bellingham’s cross at the back post. The second, set up by a stunning backheel assist from Bellingham, saw Rodrygo curl a first-time strike into the net. “It’s so easy to play with Jude. His movements and assists make everything better,” said Rodrygo, who now boasts eight goals in his last nine matches across all competitions.
Second-Half Brilliance
Early in the second half, Mbappé extended Madrid’s lead, capitalizing on a mistake by Salzburg goalkeeper Janis Blaswich to tap home. The French forward, settling into his role at Madrid after a challenging start, showcased his trademark poise under pressure.
Veteran midfielder Luka Modrić then orchestrated Madrid’s fourth goal, releasing Vinícius down the left wing with a perfectly timed pass. The Brazilian finished with a thunderous drive across the goalkeeper. Minutes later, Fede Valverde’s surging run through the midfield set up Vinícius for his second of the night, a composed finish past his marker. The brace marked a milestone for Vinícius, who celebrated his 100th goal for Real Madrid. “It’s an honor to reach this mark with this club,” he said. “I hope to continue scoring and leave my mark on the team’s history.”
Late Consolation for Salzburg
RB Salzburg managed a late consolation goal through Mads Bidstrup, who volleyed past Thibaut Courtois. Despite the blemish, Madrid’s comprehensive performance was enough to steady nerves after a shaky group-stage start, though their streak of conceding in every Champions League game this season remains unbroken.
Players and Coach React
Rodrygo acknowledged the team’s struggles earlier in the tournament but expressed optimism: “We’ve faced challenges, but this win gives us confidence for the bigger matches ahead.”
Coach Carlo Ancelotti praised the team’s attacking firepower but emphasized the need for defensive improvement. “With players like these, scoring will never be an issue. The key to success is strengthening our defense, and that’s something we’ll work on,” he told reporters.
Jude Bellingham, who was substituted with minor back discomfort in the second half, is not expected to face significant issues, according to Ancelotti.
Looking Ahead
Real Madrid’s dominant display against Salzburg provides a much-needed boost as they aim to climb into the Champions League’s top eight and avoid the play-off round. With their attacking stars in fine form, Los Blancos will look to build on this performance in the matches to come.
