Por Joe Rusling 
Real Madrid thrashed Red Bull Salzburg 5-1, to make it three wins from three to start the calendar year at the Santiago Bernebéu.
Despite being drawn to face each other in both the Champions League and Club World Cup group stages in 2025, it was the first official contest between the sides tonight at the Santiago Bernebéu tonight.
6 weeks after their last Champions League outing in Bergamo, overcoming Atalanta in a must-win match, Real Madrid looked to secure passage into the next phase of the Champions League, with still a slim glimmer of hope of a place in the prestigious top 8.
Red Bull Salzburg, however, came into the bout needing what could only be described as a miracle, requiring 6 points from their remaining 2 games, against none other than city rivals, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, along with results in other matches going their way.
It was also a first Champions League game for Salzburg manager Thomas Letsch, who replaced Pep Ljinders. The Austrian side’s poor start to the season, leaving them 5th in the Austrian Bundesliga and on just 3 points after 6 games in the Champions League, led to the former Liverpool Assistant Manager’s dismissal.
Real Madrid started with a strong starting XI. Modric and Ceballos played as the midfield pivot, while Valverde filled in at right-back for the suspended Lucas Vázquez. However, good news for Los Blancos was the return of Aurélien Tchouaméni to the matchday squad, after pulling out of Sunday’s fixture with Las Palmas.
Salzburg’s main absentee was star striker, Karim Konaté, who suffered a devastating ACL injury in their last Champions League game in Paris. Highly-rated Oscar Gloukh was deployed on the left-hand side for Salzburg as opposed to the number 10 position that he has featured in at times this season.
Yet again for Los Blancos, they came out the blocks slow, with much of the ball being played in their half. They seemed to lack Valverde’s energy in midfield and Oscar Gloukh’s effort just wide of Courtois’ post, after Bellingham carelessly gave the ball away in the middle, served as a wake-up call to Madrid.
Nonetheless, Ancelotti’s men predictably grew into the first half and in the 23rd minute, Rodrygo scored the opener. Vinicius Jr. put in a teasing cross that Bellingham could get just a toe to, as Rodygo arrived just behind him to finish cooly across the goal into the bottom corner.
From that point onwards, Real Madrid never left second gear, with Rodrygo grabbing his second in the 34th minute. This time a spectacular move, a one-two with Bellingham, as the Englishman returned the ball to the Brazilian with a delightful backheel, before Rodrygo curled home beautifully from just inside the box. Los Blancos went into half-time 2-0 up and in cruise control.
Just 3 minutes after the break, Kylian Mbappe continued his goalscoring vein of form, after a moment to forget from goalkeeper, Janis Blaswich. Mbappe pounced on the German’s error, and after sorting his feet out, scored what may be the easiest finish of his Real Madrid career.
Vinicius Jr. continued the rout with a trademark goal, tormenting his full-back, chopping and changing before cutting in and finding the back of the net. A goal fitting of the Brazilians’ 100th goal for the club. A brilliant team move then bought his second of the night. A goal that started with Courtois, and was beautifully crafted up the pitch, ending at Vini, leaving Dedic helpless with a great piece of skill and finishing off calmly.
David Alaba got more minutes in the tank on his road to full fitness, coming on in the 65th minute, and it was a special moment for Spain under-19 Euros winner and Cantera product Jacobo Ramon, who made his Real Madrid debut.
Mads Bidstrup’s sublime volley denied Thibaut Courtois of a clean sheet in the 85th minute, but a routine victory for Madrid who now sit just one point below the top 8 places, going into their final match of the first phase away at Brest.
14 goals scored in the space of seven days, as Real Madrid have started 2025 at the Santiago Bernebéu in style, with a trip to Real Valladolid up next for Ancelotti’s men.