Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes struck twice each with French superstar Kylian Mbappe also on target in a ruthless display at the Santiago Bernabeu. Carlo Ancelotti's side lost three of their first six games in a worrying start to the competition and will likely have to compete in the extra play-off round in February which is part of the competition's new format unless they can scrape a top eight spot.

Brazilian winger Rodrygo struck twice in the first half to help Madrid take control, with Mbappe netting soon after the break and Vinicius grabbing a brace of his own. Defeats by Liverpool, AC Milan and Lille put Madrid under pressure ahead of their final two group matches and their Austrian visitors started with vim, pinning back 'Los Blancos'. Madrid created little of note until Rodrygo's opener after 23 minutes changed the dynamic of the game.

The winger, in sensational form in recent weeks with eight goals in his last nine games across all competitions, finished neatly after Jude Bellingham nudged a cross into his path at the back post. His second goal was even better, set up by Bellingham with a brilliant backheel, which Rodrygo finished first time with a crisp curling strike. Mbappe notched the third early in the second half, pinching the ball from Salzburg goalkeeper Janis Blaswich and tapping home to continue his own recent run of fine form after a shaky start to life at Madrid.

Veteran midfielder Luka Modric sent Vinicius down the left with a fine pass for Madrid's fourth, and the Brazilian finished with a powerful drive across Blaswich. Vinicius netted again after Fede Valverde burst down the the middle and put him through after a slick team move, with the forward stroking home with ease after losing his marker.

Mads Bidstrup slapped home a volley late on to offer Salzburg scant consolation, as well as carrying on Madrid's unenviable run of conceding in each of their Champions League outings this season. Despite the late setback, Madrid's demolition job was just what they needed to settle their nerves after their poor start. The victory left 'Los Blancos' 16th, a point behind Bayer Leverkusen in eighth, which is the final spot for direct qualification to the last 16.

January 22, 202

Mads Bidstrup

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