Salzburg 0-3 Real Madrid: Vinicius shines as top spot secured

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Vinicius Junior scored one and set up another as Real Madrid advanced to the last 16 of the Club World Cup with a 3-0 win over Salzburg in Philadelphia.

Having been held to a 1-1 draw by Al-Hilal in their opening game in Group H before overcoming Pachuca, Xabi Alonso’s men needed a draw on Thursday to be assured of qualification and a win to be certain of top spot.

They could have broken through in the 20th minute as Vinicius was released by an excellent Jude Bellingham throughball, but Christian Zawieschitzky smothered his shot.

However, Vinicius made no mistake after another latching onto another pinpoint Bellingham pass in the 40th minute, checking inside his marker then firing into the bottom-right corner on his left foot.

Madrid doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time, with Vinicius involved again. After Mamady Diambou deflected Arda Guler’s pass into his path, the Brazilian teed up Federico Valverde with a clever backheel, and the midfielder finished low across goal.

Valverde went close to a spectacular third following the restart, after Adam Daghim had worked Thibaut Courtois at his near post, but Madrid made sure of the points in the 84th minute.

Gonzalo Garcia stole possession from Joane Gadou before lifting a deft, chipped finish over Zawieschitzky, scoring his second goal of the tournament as he continues to fill in for Kylian Mbappe.

Madrid will now face Group G runners-up Juventus in the last 16, with Al-Hilal joining them in the knockout stages after beating Pachuca 2-0.

Salem Al Dawsari gave Simone Inzaghi’s team a 22nd-minute lead with a wonderful lob after latching onto a bouncing ball from namesake Nasser Al Dawsari, then Marcos Leonardo stayed onside to score a late clincher. Al-Hilal will face Manchester City in the round of 16.

Data Debrief: Madrid coast through

Madrid were frustrated by Al Hilal in their first game under Alonso, but it has been plain sailing for Los Blancos since then.

Having also beaten Pachuca 3-1 on matchday two, they have seen 12 of their 15 victories at the Club World Cup (including all previous formats) come by a margin of two or more goals.

Alonso’s team finished with 12 shots, which was matched by Salzburg, but Madrid’s 1.69 expected goals to the Austrian team’s 1.06 indicates they created the better opportunities.

While their hopes of a record-extending sixth Club World Cup crown are still alive, Al-Hilal are the only Asian side to reach the last 16, joining nine clubs from Europe, four from South America (all from Brazil) and two from North and Central America.