Soccer
Vinicius shines as Madrid clinch top spot
Goals: Vinicius Jr (40), Federico Valverde (45+3), Gonzalo Garcia (84)
Real Madrid C.F. beat FC Salzburg to clinch top spot in Group H and set up a FIFA Club World Cup™ last-16 clash with Juventus FC.
Vinicius Jr scored once and provided a brilliant assist as Los Blancos triumphed in Philadelphia. The result, coupled with Al Hilal’s victory over CF Pachuca, means Salzburg have been eliminated.
Madrid dominated the first half and, after sustained pressure, made the breakthrough on 40 minutes. Vinicius raced on to a wonderful pass from Jude Bellingham before chopping onto his left foot and rifling a precision drive into the bottom corner.
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Vinicius was in the mood, and he turned provider for Madrid’s second on the stroke of half-time. Facing goal but tightly marked, the reigning Best FIFA Men’s Player set up Federico Valverde with an impudent backheel, and the Uruguayan duly slotted home.
Salzburg, to their credit, came out strongly in the second half and substitute Adam Daghim twice came close to pulling one back. First, his powerful effort forced a fine save from Thibaut Courtois, before he cracked a shot just over the bar. Bellingham then displayed his defensive smarts by making a vital block from Edmund Baidoo.
Xabi Alonso’s men struggled to display their first-half fluency after the break, but put the result beyond any doubt when Gonzalo Garcia netted with a cool chipped finish six minutes from time.
Madrid’s all-European showdown with Juventus will take place in Miami on Tuesday.
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What they said...
"We are delighted with the performance, with the result. Now we have gone through first in the group and we carry on. Juventus are one of the historic teams in Europe, they have a good team and it's going to be really tough."
Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid coach
Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match
Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid C.F.)
