Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior on target as Los Blancos boost last 16 hopes

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.