Reigning Champions League winners Real Madrid roared back into form with a commanding 5-1 victory over RB Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. Goals from Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes, each scoring twice, alongside Kylian Mbappe’s strike, ensured Los Blancos stayed in contention for a last-16 berth.
After a rocky start to the competition, which included three losses in six games, Madrid climbed to 16th in the standings. While they remain outside the automatic qualification spots for the knockout stage, they are just one point behind Bayer Leverkusen in eighth, with one group match left to play.
Brazilian forward Rodrygo, in dazzling form with ten goals in his last ten appearances, broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute, finishing a Jude Bellingham assist. He added a second soon after with a superb curling strike set up by a stylish backheel from the Englishman.
Mbappe extended Madrid’s lead early in the second half, stealing the ball from Salzburg’s goalkeeper Janis Blaswich before tapping home. Veteran Luka Modric then set up Vinicius for a thunderous finish, marking the Brazilian’s 100th goal for Real Madrid.
Vinicius completed his brace after a swift breakaway led by Fede Valverde, while Salzburg’s Mads Bidstrup managed a late consolation volley. Despite conceding again—continuing their streak of failing to keep a clean sheet in the competition—Madrid’s emphatic win provided much-needed confidence.
Carlo Ancelotti praised his team but emphasised the need to tighten up defensively. “Scoring goals will never be a problem with these players,” he said. “But we need to improve at the back. Defence is key to success, and that’s our focus moving forward.”
Bellingham was substituted in the second half with back discomfort, but Ancelotti reassured fans it was “nothing serious.” With this result, Madrid now face the crucial task of securing a top-eight finish to avoid February’s play-off round.
