Real Madrid dominate Salzburg 5-1 with doubles from Rodrygo and Vinicius

MADRID - 23 JAN - Defending champions Real Madrid crushed RB Salzburg 5-1 in a Champions League match in Madrid on Wednesday, with standout performances from Brazilian forwards Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr, who each scored twice. Rodrygo netted the opener in the 23rd minute from a Vinicius assist and added a second in the 34th with a well-placed shot following a clever backheel by Jude Bellingham. Kylian Mbappe capitalized on a major error by Salzburg goalkeeper Janis Blaswich toscore Real’s third early in the second half, while Vinicius added two spectacular solo goals in the 55th and 77th minutes. Salzburg managed a consolation goal in the 85th minute through Mads Bidstrup.

The victory puts Real Madrid in 16th place with 12 points, securing their qualification to the next round. However, they will need to win their final group match against B rest and depend on other results to secure a top-eight finish and avoid a playoff. Meanwhile, Salzburg sits 34th in the standings, already eliminated from the competition with just three points from seven games.