Real Madrid beat RB Salzburg to reach CWC last 16
Real Madrid have won the Fifa Club World Cup a record five times [Reuters]
A new-look Real Madrid beat RB Salzburg 3-0 to finish top of Group H and advance to the last 16 at the Fifa Club World Cup.
Manager Xabi Alonso deployed a five-man defence for the first time since replacing Carlo Ancelotti in the dugout.
Advertisement
Wing-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fran Garcia were given licence to get forward with Aurelien Tchouameni dropping in between central defenders Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen.
Previous managers Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane preferred a 4-3-3 structure, but Alonso's approach is reminiscent of Vicente del Bosque's Champions League-winning side of 2000.
Real looked at ease in the new formation and claimed a comfortable win at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Vinicius Jr opened the scoring with a drilled finish into the bottom corner after gliding away from two defenders.
The Brazil winger's cute back heel pass set Federico Valverde on his way to double their lead on the stroke of half-time.
Advertisement
Academy graduate Gonzalo Garcia wrapped up the win with a chipped effort.
"We're taking it step-by-step," Vinicius Jr told Dazn.
"Of course, we can't fully adapt to the coach's ideas so quickly, it takes time. But today was a good game for that, especially in the first half."
What next?
Real Madrid head to Florida to face Group G runners-up Juventus in the last 16 at 02:00 BST on 1 July.
RB Salzburg picked up four points across three fixtures but could only finish third - a point shy of runners-up Al-Hilal - and are heading home.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
10 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Gavin Sheets' 3-run homer caps Padres' rally for 6-4 win over Reds
CINCINNATI — Gavin Sheets hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh inning, and the San Diego Padres rallied past the Cincinnati Reds 6-4 on Saturday. After the Padres were no-hit for eight innings in Friday night's 8-1 loss , their bats woke up against the Cincinnati bullpen. Jake Cronenworth took Scott Barlow deep in the sixth for a two-run shot that got San Diego within 4-3. Sheets then made it 6-4 with a 422-foot blast to right-center against Lyon Richardson (0-2).
Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Logano keeps lead for first 43 laps after winning pole at rain-delayed NASCAR Cup race at Atlanta
HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) — With Joey Logano in the lead, the NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta resumed following a rain delay Saturday night. After winning the pole, Logano led the first 36 laps before light rain forced the first caution. Drivers remained on the track before being sent to pit road on Lap 43. The race resumed following a delay of about 15 minutes. Advertisement The Atlanta race at EchoPark Speedway, formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway, is the debut of the 32-driver In-Season Challenge, a five-race, bracket-style tournament. The 32 drivers in the In-Season Challenge had yellow banners on their windshield. Denny Hamlin is the No. 1 seed in the tournament. Chase Briscoe, who held off Hamlin for his first win for Joe Gibbs Racing last week at Pocono Raceway, is the No. 2 seed. A $1 million prize awaits the winner as part of a new media rights deal that includes TNT. Led by Logano on the pole, each of Team Penske's three drivers started on the first two rows. Logano was joined by Josh Berry on the front row, and Berry drives for Wood Brothers but has a technical alliance with Team Penske. Advertisement Overall, Ford had the top eight spots in the field. Austin Cindric was in second when rain forced the caution. Weather woes Lightning and rain delayed qualifying Friday and the Xfinity race won by Nick Sanchez late Friday night. More lightning and rain threatened Saturday night's race. Fans were encouraged to leave the stands about 90 minutes before the race due to severe weather in the area but were allowed to return as pre-race were conducted as planned. Up next The Cup Series moves to Chicago for the Chicago Street Race on Sunday, July 6. ___ AP auto racing:
Associated Press
12 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Logano keeps lead for first 43 laps after winning pole at rain-delayed NASCAR Cup race at Atlanta
HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) — With Joey Logano in the lead, the NASCAR Cup Series at Atlanta resumed following a rain delay Saturday night. After winning the pole, Logano led the first 36 laps before light rain forced the first caution. Drivers remained on the track before being sent to pit road on Lap 43. The race resumed following a delay of about 15 minutes. The Atlanta race at EchoPark Speedway, formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway, is the debut of the 32-driver In-Season Challenge, a five-race, bracket-style tournament. The 32 drivers in the In-Season Challenge had yellow banners on their windshield. Denny Hamlin is the No. 1 seed in the tournament. Chase Briscoe, who held off Hamlin for his first win for Joe Gibbs Racing last week at Pocono Raceway, is the No. 2 seed. A $1 million prize awaits the winner as part of a new media rights deal that includes TNT. Led by Logano on the pole, each of Team Penske's three drivers started on the first two rows. Logano was joined by Josh Berry on the front row, and Berry drives for Wood Brothers but has a technical alliance with Team Penske. Overall, Ford had the top eight spots in the field. Austin Cindric was in second when rain forced the caution. Weather woes Lightning and rain delayed qualifying Friday and the Xfinity race won by Nick Sanchez late Friday night. More lightning and rain threatened Saturday night's race. Fans were encouraged to leave the stands about 90 minutes before the race due to severe weather in the area but were allowed to return as pre-race were conducted as planned. Up next The Cup Series moves to Chicago for the Chicago Street Race on Sunday, July 6. ___ AP auto racing:
