If you’re a Real Madrid fan – you loved this! It’s been a while since you’ve seen a faster, more direct, more mobile Real. And it doesn’t really matter that in the 3rd round of the Club World Cup they were facing “just” Salzburg (who were actually a solid opponent), because the Royal Club – even without Kylian Mbappe, who didn’t travel to Philadelphia due to illness – is starting to rediscover its face and form, glimpses of the power it briefly lost. Two masterful passes were enough for the Spanish giant to seal top spot in Group H, win 3–0, and book a round of 16 clash with Juventus.🏁 @FCRBS_en 0-3 @RealMadridEN⚽️ 40′ @ViniJr⚽ 45’+3′ @FedeeValverde⚽ 84′ @Gonzalo7Garcia_ pic.twitter.com/KucGKCXXt6— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 27, 2025 No one could say for sure how Real Madrid would look in Xabi Alonso’s debut task… and there were certainly those dissatisfied with the performance against Al Hilal (1–1), while the match against Pachuca wasn’t a real measure due to Raul Asensio’s early red card (3–1).But 90-plus minutes against Salzburg – a perfect prelude to the knockout stage. In that hour and a half, Xabi’s Real looked far more modern than Ancelotti’s: they knew what to do with the ball, how to win it back when lost, and transitioned with one, two, or three touches like it was nothing.Don’t forget, this was only Xabi’s third game on the Real bench, but that didn’t stop him from changing the formation, playing with three centre-backs (Huijsen, Rudiger, and Tchouameni) and wing-backs (Alexander-Arnold and Garcia), entrusting creativity to Bellingham, Valverde, and Guler behind Vinicius Jr. and Gonzalo Garcia.Xabi Alonso with Rodrygo after the game. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/KIBjSOzQJx— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) June 27, 2025 Salzburg held out until the 40th minute, and at times managed to frustrate the Real crowd with long spells of sterile possession. But then, finally, Vini showed up in the U.S.! He had played in the first two matches but didn’t shine – until tonight.In just two moves, he took the little Austrian bulls by the horns. Jude Bellingham’s artistry linked him to goal, the left foot flashed, and Real took the lead. Just before the break, the Brazilian pulled a piece of magic straight out of Guti’s playbook!40′ ⚽ GOAL — VINÍCIUS JR!A touch of class from the Brazilian as he puts Real Madrid in front.Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #SALRMA pic.twitter.com/lamciYVf2b— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 27, 2025 Wondering how Jose Maria Gutierrez ended up in Vini’s pocket? On the heel of Vini’s boot came a flashback to Guti’s masterpiece from the 2009/10 season, when he fooled the entire Riazor and left Benzema to tap into an empty net. In similar fashion, Fede Valverde was served tonight, and Real led 2–0 at halftime.45’+3’⚽ GOAL — VALVERDE!A stunning assist from Vinícius Jr. sets up the second for Real Madrid.Silky, smooth, and clinical.Watch the @FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #SALRMA pic.twitter.com/XodQ0uItng— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) June 27, 2025 Other than a shot straight at Courtois at the end of the first half. Adam Daghim gave the Belgian keeper some trouble early in the second half. Real weathered Salzburg’s first wave, reestablished control, and sealed the game in the 84th minute.While Mbappe was sidelined, Castilla’s own Gonzalo Garcia continues to build a name in the first team. So far in the U.S., he’s either scored or assisted in every match: a goal against Al Hilal, an assist in the comeback versus Pachuca, and now a classy finish worthy of Raul Gonzalez – the man who mentored him in Real Madrid B.Fran Garcia appreciation tweet. Incredible turnaround under Xabi Alonso 👏 pic.twitter.com/7e7u9ubVZM— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 27, 2025 Despite conceding a goal, Salzburg still had a glimmer of hope that Pachuca might shock Al Hilal, who led 1–0 from the 22nd to the 95th minute. If the Mexicans had equalized, Salzburg would’ve faced Manchester City in the round of 16. The net did ripple again, but Marcos Leonardo’s goal sealed the Saudi giant’s victory – 2–0.FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025Matchday 3FridayAl Hilal – Pachuca 2-0 (1-0)/Al-Dawsari 22, Leonardo 90+5/Salzburg – Real Madrid 0-3 (0-2)/Vinicius 40, Valverde 45+3, Garcia 84/
