The football world was treated to a thrilling encounter as Real Madrid faced Red Bull Salzburg in a decisive Group H match at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. This high-stakes fixture took place on Thursday, June 26, 2025, with kickoff scheduled for 9:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) at the iconic Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The match was played under steady rain, adding to the intensity and drama on the pitch.
Real Madrid vs Salzburg Lineups: Club World Cup 2025
Real Madrid Starting XI (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
- Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger, Dean Huijsen, Fran García
- Midfielders: Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jude Bellingham
- Forwards: Arda Güler, Gonzalo García, Vinícius Júnior
Coach: Xabi Alonso
Notable absences included Kylian Mbappé (yet to debut in the tournament) and Raúl Asencio (suspended). Rüdiger returned to the starting lineup after injury and suspension, while Gonzalo García led the line for the third consecutive match.
RB Salzburg Starting XI (4-4-2)
- Goalkeeper: Christian Zawieschitzky
- Defenders: Stefan Lainer (captain), Karim Gadou, Jonas Rasmussen, Felix Krätzig
- Midfielders: Mamady Diambou, Soumaila Diabaté, Oscar Gloukh, Nene Dorgeles
- Forwards: Petar Ratkov, Elias Baidoo
Coach: Dietmar Letsch
Letsch fielded a youthful and energetic side, with Zawieschitzky in goal and the attacking duo of Ratkov and Baidoo up front.
Key Match Events:
- First Half Dominance:
Real Madrid took control of the match early, with Vinícius Júnior playing a starring role. After several missed opportunities, the breakthrough came in the 40th minute when Jude Bellingham set up Vinícius, who maneuvered past defenders and fired home from the edge of the box.
In first-half stoppage time, Vinícius dazzled again, delivering a clever back-heeled assist to Federico Valverde, who doubled Madrid’s lead. - Second Half and Sealing the Win:
Madrid continued to dominate possession and chances, but it wasn’t until the 84th minute that Gonzalo García put the result beyond doubt, lobbing the Salzburg goalkeeper on a swift counterattack. - Final Score:
Real Madrid 3 – 0 Red Bull Salzburg
(Goals: Vinícius Júnior 40', Federico Valverde 45'+3', Gonzalo García 84')
Match Stats at a Glance:
| Team | Goals | Shots (on target) | Possession | Key Players |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 3 | 12 (4) | 58% | Vinícius, Valverde |
| Salzburg | 0 | 12 (3) | 42% | Zawieschitzky (GK) |
With this victory, Real Madrid finished atop Group H with seven points and advanced to the round of 16, where they will face Juventus at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Salzburg, meanwhile, were eliminated from the tournament after finishing third in the group.