Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, right, celebrates with his teammate Kylian Mbappe after scoring his side's 4th goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and FC Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid
Real Vs Salzburg: Vinicius Bags Brace As Holders Secure Easy Win
After winning a record 15th European title last season, then signing France star Kylian Mbappé in the offseason, it probably should not have been such a drama for Real Madrid to reach the knockout stages in the new Champions League format. But three losses in six games — to Lille, AC Milan and Liverpool — left Madrid in 22nd place at kickoff Wednesday, before swatting aside Salzburg 5-1 to rise into 16th. Brazil stars Rodrygo and Vinícius Júnior each scored twice, either side of a goal for Kylian Mbappé, in a mismatch ahead of the teams meeting again in the FIFA Club World Cup, in Philadelphia on June 26.
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior
| Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates after scoring his side's 5th goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and FC Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid.
Champions League: FC Salzburg vs Real Madrid
| Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
The billboard shows the final score of 5-0 at the end of the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and FC Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid.
Spain Soccer Champions League: Real Madrid vs FC Salzburg
| Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, left, and Salzburg's Mads Bidstrup vie for the ball during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and FC Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid.
Spain Soccer Champions League: FC Salzburg vs Real Madrid
| Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
Salzburg's Hendry Blank, left, and Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe vie for the ball during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and FC Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid.
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe
| Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his side's 3rd goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and FC Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid.
Soccer Champions League: Real Madrid vs FC Salzburg
| Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
Salzburg's Hendry Blank, left, and Real Madrid's Dani Ceballos vie for the ball during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and FC Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo
| Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
Real Madrid's Rodrygo celebrates after scoring his side's 2nd goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and FC Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo
| Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
Real Madrid's Rodrygo celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and FC Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid.
FC Salzburg vs Real Madrid
| Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior reacts after missing a scoring chance during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and FC Salzburg at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid.
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