Vinicius Junior Shines Bright as Real Madrid Dominates Salzburg in Club World Cup Triumph

Vinícius Júnior spearheaded Real Madrid's commanding 3-0 triumph against RB Salzburg at Lincoln Financial Field, propelling his team into the FIFA Club World Cup's knockout rounds.

Despite weather-related concerns that threatened to postpone the match, Real Madrid and Salzburg battled in their decisive group stage encounter. With both teams tied on four points, the victor would claim the summit of Group H.

While Real Madrid required 40 minutes to break the deadlock, their first-half dominance under Alonso made a goal seem certain. Jude Bellingham delivered an exceptional long-range pass to Vinícius Júnior, enabling the Brazilian to race into the penalty area and slot home the opener with his left foot.

The Brazilian winger then orchestrated Fede Valverde's strike eight minutes later through an exquisite backheel pass, establishing a comfortable 2-0 advantage for Los Blancos. Gonzalo García sealed the victory with an impressive counter-attacking finish, giving Real Madrid cause for celebration on a wet evening in Philadelphia.

Here are three key observations from Real Madrid's triumph over Salzburg.

Vinicius Junior Finally Delivers a Performance to Remember

Vinícius Júnior has faced criticism recently due to his underwhelming offensive contributions. The Brazilian had struggled to register either a goal or assist during the US tour prior to facing Salzburg, managing only two goals in his previous 14 Real Madrid appearances.

However, the winger finally stepped up when needed. During his 67 minutes on the field, Vinícius Júnior contributed to two of Real Madrid's three goals. He also generated the highest number of scoring opportunities and completed the most successful dribbles in the contest.

For the first time in months, Vinícius Júnior displayed the exceptional form that made him a Ballon d'Or contender during the 2023-24 campaign. His penetrating runs, clinical finishing, and creative vision in the attacking third made the 24-year-old appear genuinely threatening once more, presenting a formidable challenge for future opponents.

Nevertheless, the Brazilian must improve his defensive contributions. Both Gonzalo and Fran García frequently had to cover for Vinícius Júnior's positioning. While his lack of defensive work didn't cost Real Madrid against Salzburg, it could become problematic when facing stronger opposition in the knockout phase.

Real Madrid Show First Real Look at a Back Three

With Antonio Rüdiger's availability, Alonso seized the chance to implement a three-man defense from kickoff. Real Madrid had tested the manager's preferred system in their previous two matches, but only for short periods.

Dean Huijsen, Rüdiger, and converted defender Aurélien Tchouaméni comprised Real Madrid's defensive trio with surprising assurance, considering the unfamiliar formation and personnel changes. Los Blancos achieved their first clean sheet of the summer while restricting Salzburg to merely three shots on target throughout the entire game.

The stable defensive foundation enabled Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fran García to advance and contribute more effectively in attack. García particularly excelled in combining with Vinícius Júnior while providing additional defensive security on the left flank when the winger neglected his tracking duties.

This tactical setup also granted Huijsen the liberty to advance with possession and distribute passes to initiate Real Madrid's attacks from deep positions.

When Éder Militão and David Alaba return from their injuries, Real Madrid's three-man defense would become even more formidable if Alonso continues with this approach. Substituting Tchouaméni with either center-back would provide Los Blancos with enhanced protection in front of Thibaut Courtois while allowing the Frenchman to resume his midfield duties.

Xabi Alonso Overlooks Rodrygo Again

The discussion around Rodrygo intensifies with each Club World Cup fixture. The Brazilian started in Real Madrid's tournament opener but found himself benched for the subsequent two group matches.

Rodrygo received no playing time against Pachuca, remaining unused on the substitutes' bench at Bank of America Stadium. Alonso described it as a "technical" choice before again excluding the winger from his starting eleven in Philadelphia.

While Rodrygo entered as a substitute in the second half against Salzburg, he made minimal impact during his 23-minute appearance. The 24-year-old managed only one attempt on goal and completed merely 11 passes.

With transfer rumors intensifying, Rodrygo's prospects remain increasingly unclear. If he struggles to secure a place in Alonso's lineup before new acquisition Franco Mastantuono joins in August, he might find greater personal success at another club.