Champions League holders Real Madrid got back on track in Europe with a 5-1 victory over RB Salzburg on Wednesday, ensuring it won’t be eliminated at the first hurdle.
Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes scored twice each, while French superstar Kylian Mbappe also scored in a ruthless display at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men have lost three of their first six games after a troubling start to the campaign and will likely have to take part in an additional play-off round in February as part of the new competition format if they fail to finish in the top eight.
Brazilian winger Rodrygo scored twice in the first half to help Madrid take control. Shortly after the break, Mbappe scored and Vinicius scored two goals himself.
Defeats to Liverpool, AC Milan and Lille put pressure on Madrid ahead of their final two group games, and the Austrian visitor started vim, pinning Los Blancos.
Summary of the match between Real Madrid and RB Salzburg
Madrid didn’t attract much attention until Rodrygo’s goal in the 23rd minute changed the dynamics of the game.
The winger, who has been in sensational form in recent weeks, scoring eight goals in his last nine games in all competitions, finished well after Jude Bellingham sent a cross his way to the back post.
His second goal was even better, scored by Bellingham with a brilliant back kick, and Rodrygo finished the game with his first powerful curling shot.
Mbappe scored the third goal early in the second half, taking the ball from Salzburg goalkeeper Janis Blaswich and slotting it into the net to continue his recent run of excellent form after a shaky start to life in Madrid.
Experienced midfielder Luka Modric sent Vinicius down the left with a good pass to Madrid’s fourth goal, and the Brazilian finished with a powerful shot through Blaswich.
Vinicius scored again after Fede Valverde came through the middle and tapped it in after a neat team move, with the striker easily hitting the target after losing his marker.
Mads Bidstrup fired home a late volley to give Salzburg scant consolation and maintain Madrid’s unenviable run in every Champions League game this season.
Despite the late setback, Madrid’s demolition work was enough to calm nerves after a slow start.
Thanks to the victory, Los Blancos are in 16th place, one point behind eighth-placed Bayer Leverkusen, which gives them the last place in direct qualification for the last 16.
