Bellingham and Vinícius shine as Real Madrid top group at Club World Cup | Club World Cup 2025

If Real Madrid must succeed in the Xabi Alonso era, they will have to kiss the quest for the structure of their former midfielder. In turn, however, Alonso will move away from the 3-0 encouraging 3-0 victory of his new team over Red Bull Salzburg in Philadelphia knowing that keeping everyone is easier if he continues to find ways to leave Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior have their share of light.

There are times when it seems that the club World Cup would work just as well if it was simply Madrid on tour in the United States, emerging for the appearances of the stadium and not playing real football. Many people just want to see the stars. There were cries when Bellingham extended a little more than an hour before kick -off and gave a partisan crowd a royal wave. It was a reminder that Carlo Ancelotti was part of the show so long by remembering that his main function was to let others take the front of the stage.

But maybe Madrid can have the best of both worlds. If there is a tension as to if they are ready for the approach based on Alonso systems, it is also true that more order was necessary last season. This is part of the challenge for Alonso. He mixed things against Salzburg, using 3-5-2 training, and saw Madrid produce their most coherent performance under him to date, ensuring that they have become winners of group H and have avoided an appointment with Manchester City in the last 16.

Juventus is the next one and will be worried after seeing the level of Madrid against Salzburg, who crashed under the victory of Al-Hilal against Pachuca. Alonso will be satisfied with how the system has worked, but he will also note the role played by Bellingham and Vinícius, who caught a goal and a magnificent assist. Bellingham, playing in a more removed role, was excellent and has always found opportunities to walk. He opened Vinícius and played with a mixture of discipline and imagination. All that Alonso has to do now is to determine how to make Kylian Mbappé in the team.

Alonso talked about altruism, everything that is easier if everyone runs a little more. Kylian, do you take notes? The way Mbappé fits into this way of playing remains to be seen. The French striker has not yet been in the United States, a bad stomach touch it. Gonzalo García, a product for young people, continued at the front and scored his second goal in three games.

There was still enough stars power to ensure 65,000 people on Lincoln Financial Field. A handful of people even wore Salzburg shirts. The Austrians come out of a campaign in difficulty, the experience of Pep Lijnders not operating, domestic domination abandoned, but they had the hope of progressing after four points of their first two games.

There was a change in Madrid’s tactics, Aurelien Tchouameni joining Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rudiger in a back three, Fran García and Trent Alexander-Arnold operating as wings. It was an interesting experience for Alexander-Arnold, who had always had Mo Salah with whom to combine in Liverpool. He never had the racing of the good flank for himself.

Alonso sees what works. Arda Guller and Fede Valverde aligned themselves in the midfield with Bellingham, who played on the right. Vinícius was very high. Madrid started well. Alexander-Arnold saw a lot of ball and created the first chance, crossing the left foot, but Rudiger headed.

Madrid’s pressing was intense. A brilliant game game should have led to the opening after 20 minutes, Bellingham by sliding Vinícius, Christian Zawieschitzky saves well. The death was clear. But there were also a few moments nervous, Tchouameni before reacting to stop Edmund Baidoo pulling eight meters.

Salzburg has set off, threatening the counterattack. But Madrid had especially played with balance and control during the first half. It was just a question of finding the connections in the last third.

The problem was resolved when Bellingham fell back and guided a nice pass in the midfielder of Salzburg. Drift of the left, Vinícius collected possession and jumped. Two defenders blocked his way but the Brazilian cheated on them both, cutting on his left foot before doing it 1-0 with a 20 meter low shot.

It was 2-0 shortly later, a ricochet releasing Vinícius, who went through before confusing his markers again, this time with a background as well as Valverde score categorically from 12 meters.

Salzburg responded with two part-time substitutions. Adam Daghim came in advance and quickly tested Thibaut Courtois with a grater disc. Daghim then wasted another chance after a Bellingham error.

Madrid were not convincing at the start of the second half, escaping again when Maurits Kjaergaard focused on a cut, then when Bellingham released a shot out of the line. At the same time, Vinícius remained a box of stuff. Guller also delivered a insightful and intelligent performance in the midfield. Alexander-Arnold has become his role.

Salzburg continued to support. Alonso sought to settle things by presenting Luka Modric. Rodrygo, who continues to be linked to Arsenal, came. Doubt to know if the winger is still intended to persist.

Alonso looks at everyone. Bellingham finally released after a dynamic performance. Gonzalo García continued to connect and had his goal when he passed through Zawieschitzky. Madrid improves after slow start. They tend to become more dangerous as tournaments are progressing.