Real Madrid beat Salzburg 3-0, advance to round of 16 at Club World Cup
Vinicius Junior scored one goal and set up another in Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Red Bull Salzburg in Philadelphia on Thursday night, as the Spanish giants clinched first place in Group H at the FIFA Club World Cup, along with a spot in the round of 16.
Vinicius gave the 64,811 soaking wet fans at Lincoln Financial Field something to cheer about, after scoring on a left-footed shot from just outside the box in the 40th minute. Jude Bellingham left the South American in position to find the net with a breakaway pass that took advantage of the wet field conditions resulting from a heavy rainstorm.
Eight minutes later, a deflected pass by Mamady Diambou left Vinicius one-on-one against Salzburg defender Joane Gadou. With no good angle available to shoot, the Brazilian flicked a backheel pass to Federico Valverde, and the wide open Uruguayan converted from 10 yards out.
Antonio Rudiger suffered an apparent hamstring injury in the 60th minute after completing a long sprint down the right flank. He continued playing, but was substituted off six minutes later. His availability could be a concern going into Real Madrid's next match, with the squad thin at the center back position due to multiple injuries and Raul Asencio's suspension.
Gonzalo Garcia put the game to bed in the 84th minute with a chip shot, following a counterattack he initiated by stripping the ball from Gadou at midfield.
The win makes Real Madrid the ninth European team to advance to the round of 16. Among the 12 European teams at the tournament, only Atletico Madrid, Porto, and Austria's Salzburg were eliminated in the group stage.
Real Madrid will face Group G runners-up Juventus on Tuesday.
In the other match in Group H, Salem Al-Dawsari scored in the 22nd minute and Al Hilal beat Pachuca 2-0 in Nashville, clinching a spot in the round of 16.
Marcus Leonardo also scored for Al Hilal, the only team from outside Europe and the Americas to advance out of the group stage.
Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal will face English side Manchester City on Monday in Orlando.
Al-Dawsari, attacking from the left flank, scored with the ball bouncing off his right foot and soaring over the head of Pachuca goalkeeper Sebastian Jurado on the right side of the goal.
Mexico's Pachuca ended the tournament winless.