MAGICAL MADRID TOO MUCH FOR SALZBURG
Four beautiful goals – Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr with two apiece – and one beautiful disaster – scavenged by Kylian Mbappe – secured Real Madrid’s spot in the last 32.
They may not make the last 16 as of right now, but will back themselves to beat whoever the draw allows them – with good reason.
Salzburg, who were already out, started well, but eventually Madrid’s individual quality turned the game. Rodrygo struck on 23 and 34 minutes, his second coming via a clever exchange with Jude Bellingham and a lovely finish.
-It was hard not to fear for Salzburg, and when Janis Blaswich allowed Mbappe to rob him inside the box three minutes into the second half, a drubbing looked inescapable.
And so it turned out to be. Vinicius scored typically adroit and inventive goals on 55 and 77 before, five minutes from time, Mads Bidstrup volleyed a yahoo of a consolation.
So the holders will not be exiting the competition in its league stage, and given all that is in their favour, they will not be easy to stop.
