Real Madrid rocked the Club World Cup on Thursday night in Philadelphia, securing a 3-0 win over Salzburg and punching their ticket to the round of 16! The atmosphere at Lincoln Financial Field was electric, with 64,811 soaking wet fans cheering every thrilling moment. ⚽️🔥
The star of the night was Vinicius Junior, whose performance lit up the pitch. In the 40th minute, he fired a left-footed shot from just outside the box, igniting the crowd's excitement. A slick breakaway pass from Jude Bellingham set the stage for more magic, showcasing the team’s blend of skill and quick thinking on a rain-soaked field.
The momentum carried on when a deflected pass from Mamady Diambou allowed Vinicius to find himself one-on-one with Salzburg defender Joane Gadou. With a cool and creative backheel pass, he set up Federico Valverde, who converted from close range to give Real Madrid a solid 2-0 lead.
The game took an unexpected turn when Antonio Rudiger suffered an apparent hamstring injury in the 60th minute after a long, explosive sprint. Though he continued briefly, the defender was later substituted, raising questions about his fitness for upcoming matches. Still, Real Madrid pressed on with determination.
In the 84th minute, Gonzalo Garcia put the finishing touch on the victory with a stylish chip shot after a well-orchestrated counterattack. With this win, Real Madrid becomes the ninth European team to secure a spot in the round of 16 at the tournament, outlasting tough rivals in a memorable group stage performance.
Next up, Real Madrid will face Group G runners-up Juventus on Tuesday. With the fans buzzing and the team riding high on their performance, all eyes are on what promises to be another epic showdown at the Club World Cup! 🌟
Reference(s):
Real Madrid beat Salzburg 3-0, advance to last 16 at Club World Cup
cgtn.com
