Defending champions Real Madrid delivered a scintillating performance at the Santiago Bernabéu, thrashing RB Salzburg 5-1 in their Matchday 7 fixture of the UEFA Champions League.

Rodrygo Goes set the tone for the evening, netting twice in the first half to give Los Blancos a commanding lead. His clinical finishing showcased the quality that has made him indispensable to Carlo Ancelotti’s side. The Brazilian opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a composed strike before doubling Madrid’s advantage in the 38th minute after a brilliant solo run.

The second half was a Vinicius Junior masterclass. The winger scored a brace, demonstrating his flair and eye for goal. His first came just minutes after the restart when he capitalized on a defensive error. While Salzburg managed to pull one back through a stunning strike by Kylian Mbappé—who is currently on loan at Salzburg in a surprising turn of events—Vinicius silenced any hopes of a comeback by slotting home his second late in the game.

Real Madrid’s fifth and final goal came from a spectacular long-range effort by Aurelien Tchouaméni in the dying minutes, capping off a dominant display.

The victory catapulted Real Madrid to safety in the newly restructured league table, where they now sit in 22nd place—just above the elimination zone. The revamped UEFA Champions League features a 36-team single-league format, making every game critical as teams fight to secure a spot in the next phase.

RB Salzburg, on the other hand, continued their downward spiral, with six defeats in seven games leaving them firmly in the relegation zone. With only one match remaining, their hopes of advancing appear all but extinguished.

Elsewhere in the competition, Barcelona secured their passage to the round of 16 in dramatic fashion with a 5-4 victory over Benfica, joining Liverpool in skipping the playoff round.

For Real Madrid, the road ahead remains challenging, but their performance tonight reminded everyone why they are the reigning champions of Europe.

Match Statistics

• Goals: Rodrygo (15’, 38’), Vinicius Junior (47’, 74’), Tchouaméni (89’); Mbappé (58’)
• Possession: Real Madrid 64% – 36% RB Salzburg
• Shots on Target: Real Madrid 11 – 4 RB Salzburg

Real Madrid fans will hope this momentum carries into their final league-stage game next week, as every point counts in their quest for back-to-back glory.

By Okafor Joseph Afam
January 23, 2025

Defending champions Real Madrid delivered a scintillating performance at the Santiago Bernabéu, thrashing RB Salzburg 5-1 in their Matchday 7 fixture of the UEFA Champions League.

Rodrygo Goes set the tone for the evening, netting twice in the first half to give Los Blancos a commanding lead. His clinical finishing showcased the quality that has made him indispensable to Carlo Ancelotti’s side. The Brazilian opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a composed strike before doubling Madrid’s advantage in the 38th minute after a brilliant solo run.

The second half was a Vinicius Junior masterclass. The winger scored a brace, demonstrating his flair and eye for goal. His first came just minutes after the restart when he capitalized on a defensive error. While Salzburg managed to pull one back through a stunning strike by Kylian Mbappé—who is currently on loan at Salzburg in a surprising turn of events—Vinicius silenced any hopes of a comeback by slotting home his second late in the game.

Real Madrid’s fifth and final goal came from a spectacular long-range effort by Aurelien Tchouaméni in the dying minutes, capping off a dominant display.

The victory catapulted Real Madrid to safety in the newly restructured league table, where they now sit in 22nd place—just above the elimination zone. The revamped UEFA Champions League features a 36-team single-league format, making every game critical as teams fight to secure a spot in the next phase.

RB Salzburg, on the other hand, continued their downward spiral, with six defeats in seven games leaving them firmly in the relegation zone. With only one match remaining, their hopes of advancing appear all but extinguished.

Elsewhere in the competition, Barcelona secured their passage to the round of 16 in dramatic fashion with a 5-4 victory over Benfica, joining Liverpool in skipping the playoff round.

For Real Madrid, the road ahead remains challenging, but their performance tonight reminded everyone why they are the reigning champions of Europe.

Match Statistics

• Goals: Rodrygo (15’, 38’), Vinicius Junior (47’, 74’), Tchouaméni (89’); Mbappé (58’)
• Possession: Real Madrid 64% – 36% RB Salzburg
• Shots on Target: Real Madrid 11 – 4 RB Salzburg

Real Madrid fans will hope this momentum carries into their final league-stage game next week, as every point counts in their quest for back-to-back glory.