Real Madrid Dominates Salzburg 5-1 in Champions League Clash

MADRID, Spain — Real Madrid delivered a commanding performance on Wednesday, defeating Red Bull Salzburg 5-1 in a UEFA Champions League group stage match at the Santiago Bernabéu. The victory keeps Madrid’s hopes alive for a top-eight finish, avoiding the preliminary knockout round.

Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, followed by Jude Bellingham‘s strike in the 34th minute. Mbappé added another goal in the 48th minute, while Vinícius Júnior sealed the win with two goals in the 55th and 77th minutes. Salzburg’s lone goal came from Maurits Kjaergaard in the 85th minute.

The match showcased Real Madrid’s dominance, as they controlled possession and created numerous scoring opportunities. Despite a slow start, Madrid’s attacking trio of Mbappé, Bellingham, and Vinícius proved too much for the Austrian side. Manager Carlo Ancelotti rotated his squad, resting key players like Dani Carvajal and Luka Modrić, but the team’s depth ensured a comfortable victory.

“We needed this win to stay in the race for the top eight,” Ancelotti said after the match. “The players showed great focus and determination, especially after the disappointment in the Supercopa.”

Salzburg, meanwhile, struggled to match Madrid’s intensity. Their defense was repeatedly breached, and goalkeeper Alexander Schlager made several crucial saves to prevent a more lopsided scoreline. “We knew it would be tough, but we didn’t expect such a strong performance from them,” said Salzburg coach Gerhard Struber.

With one matchday remaining in the group stage, Real Madrid sits three points behind the top eight. A win in their final game could secure their place in the next round, while Salzburg’s chances of advancing are slim.