Brazilian duo Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo both scored twice to secure Real Madrid a comfortable 5-1 Champions League victory over RB Salzburg at the Bernabeu.
Rodrygo opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after a slow start for the hosts, then added a second 11 minutes later.
Kylian Mbappe added his name to the scoresheet three minutes after the interval, before Vinicius Jr was set up by the in-form Luka Modric in the 55th minute then added his second in the 77th.
Mads Bidstrup scored a consolation for the eliminated Austrian side as Real booked their place in at least the play-off round and kept alive hopes of finishing in the top eight with one game to play.
🏁 @RealMadridEN 5-1 @FCRBS_en⚽ 23′ @RodrygoGoes⚽ 34′ @RodrygoGoes⚽ 48′ @KMbappe⚽ 55′ @ViniJr⚽ 77′ @ViniJr⚽ 85′ Bidstrup pic.twitter.com/cnJa1uDVRG
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) January 22, 2025
Salzburg had the game’s first big chance in the 10th minute after Jude Bellingham lost control and ceded possession, allowing Nene Dorgeles to sprint upfield and play in Oscar Gloukh, who directed his attempt narrowly wide.
But Rodrygo fired Real in front in the 23rd minute.
Federico Valverde won possession back inside his own half and the ball was worked towards Vinicius Jr whose delivery skipped past the outstretched leg of initial target Bellingham but fell favourably for the onrushing Rodrygo.
👇 @RodrygoGoes 👇✅ Assist from @BellinghamJude✅ First-touch finish🔁 Repeat pic.twitter.com/7vcEIvixFn
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) January 22, 2025
Vinicius Jr nearly added his name to the scoresheet moments later but his attempt was too high.
Rodrygo doubled the lead in the 34th minute, smashing in from the corner of the penalty area after being set up by a lovely backheel by Bellingham, who added his third Champions League assist of the season.
The hosts were three goals to the good after Mbappe, sandwiched between two blue shirts, rushed into the area and Janis Blaswich came out to meet the ball but lost control, allowing the Frenchman to nick it away, round the Salzburg keeper and pivot before firing into the open net.
It was then the turn of Vinicius Jr, the recipient of a perfect Modric pass, to carved his way through the Salzburg defence and make it 4-0.
Both bosses made changes, and Brahim Diaz almost made a near-instant impact, forcing Blaswich into an alert save before fellow substitute Endrick skied from distance.
Diaz got himself involved again, this time as part of the build-up to Vinicius Jr’s second when he threaded a pass to Valverde, who set up his composed team-mate for a low 77th-minute finish.
Salzburg clawed back a consolation just as the hosts looked like they were close to wrapping up a clean sheet.
Amar Dedic provided the cross that found Bidstrup, who gave the visiting Austrians something to cheer about when he volleyed home.
