Vinicius Junior scored the first goal and assisted the second, and Real Madrid cruised to a 3-0 victory over Red Bull Salzburg to finish top of Group H and clinch their place in the knockout rounds of the 2025 Club World Cup on Thursday.
MORE — 2025 Club World Cup schedule, results, tables, how to watch live
Crucially, winning the group sends Real Madrid to the opposite side of the bracket from Manchester City, who they would have faced in the round of 16 and who looked every bit the tournament favorites during the group stage (9 points, +11 GD). However, Xabi Alonso’s side begins the knockouts against another giant, Juventus (followed by Borussia Dortmund, potentially), and could face reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals before a potential showdown with Man City and Barcelona legend Pep Guardiola in the final. Quite the gauntlet.
Saudi side Al-Hilal leapfrogged Salzburg for 2nd in Group H with a 2-0 victory over Mexican side Pachuca and will be the ones to face City in the next round.
Group H standings
- Real Madrid — 7 points (+5 GD)
- Al Hilal — 5 points (+2 GD)
- Red Bull Salzburg — 4 points (-2 GD)
- Pachuca — 0 points (-5 GD)
Player ratings - Real Madrid vs Red Bull Salzburg
Real Madrid vs Red Bull Salzburg live updates - by Andy Edwards
Real Madrid vs Red Bull Salzburg final score: 3-0
Goalscorers: Vinicius Junior (40'), Federico Valverde (45'+3), Gonzalo Garcia (84')
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Salzburg: Garcia dinks the clincher over Zawieschitzky (84')
84' ⚽ GOLAZOOO — GONZALO GARCÍA!
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 27, 2025
Real Madrid grab their third as the youngster gets on the scoresheet.
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GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Salzburg: Vinicius drops one off for Valverde to finish (45'+3)
45'+3'⚽ GOAL — VALVERDE!
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 27, 2025
A stunning assist from Vinícius Jr. sets up the second for Real Madrid.
Silky, smooth, and clinical.
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GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Salzburg: Vinicius gets in behind and slots home (40')
40' ⚽ GOAL — VINÍCIUS JR!
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 27, 2025
A touch of class from the Brazilian as he puts Real Madrid in front.
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Real Madrid starting lineup
Courtois - Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, F. Garcia - Tchouameni, Valverde, Bellingham - Guler, Vinicius, G. Garcia
Red Bull Salzburg starting lineup
Zawieschitzky - Lainer, Gadou, Rasmussen, Kratzig - Diabate, Diambou, Dorgeles, Gloukh - Baidoo, Ratkov
Group H standings
- Real Madrid — 4 points (+2 GD)
- Red Bull Salzburg — 4 points (+1 GD)
- Al Hilal — 2 points (0 GD)
- Pachuca — 0 points (-3 GD)
How to watch Real Madrid vs Red Bull Salzburg live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9 pm ET Thursday (June 26)
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TV Channel/Streaming: Watch live on DAZN, for free
Real Madrid team news, focus
OUT: Eduardo Camavinga (adductor), Endrick (hamstring), David Alaba (knee), Eder Militao (knee), Dani Carvajal (knee), Ferland Mendy (undisclosed)
Red Bull Salzburg team news, focus
OUT: Karim Konate (knee), Nicolas Capaldo (foot), Takumu Kawamura (knee)
