Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid secured a comfortable 3-0 win against Salzburg in the final Group H fixture of the FIFA Club World Cup. The Spanish giants collected three points, finished on seven overall, and topped the section to book a direct ticket to the play-off round.
For Russian viewers, the main storyline was the inclusion of Arda Güler in the starting XI. The gifted Turkey international patrolled midfield for 67 minutes, orchestrating Los Blancos’ play and barely putting a foot wrong.
The breakthrough came on 40 minutes when Vinícius Júnior timed his run perfectly to meet a pass and slotted low into the corner. Deep into first-half stoppage time, at 45+3, Real doubled their advantage—Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde swept home a cut-back, with Vinícius again providing the decisive assist.
Madrid continued to dominate after the restart. On 84 minutes Gonzalo capitalised on a defensive lapse, firing past the keeper from close range to seal the 3-0 scoreline. With one goal and one assist, Vinícius Júnior had a direct hand in two strikes and deservedly took Man-of-the-Match honours.
Arda Güler was among the brightest performers on the pitch. The young maestro completed 61 of 65 passes (94 % accuracy), won 9 of 11 duels and made four interceptions, displaying maturity and composure beyond his years. His ability to dictate tempo and instantly switch attacking angles drew rapturous praise from Blancos supporters across social media.
Turkish Derby In The Round Of 16
By topping the group, Real Madrid will face Juventus in the Round of 16. Thus, Arda Güler and fellow Turkish prodigy Kenan Yıldız will line up on opposite sides in the quest for a quarter-final berth.
Full FIFA Club World Cup Round-Of-16 Bracket
- Inter – Fluminense
- Manchester City – Al Hilal
- Palmeiras – Botafogo
- Benfica – Chelsea
- Paris Saint-Germain – Inter Miami
- Flamengo – Bayern Munich
- Real Madrid – Juventus
- Borussia Dortmund – Monterrey
The upcoming ties promise plenty of intrigue, and supporters eagerly await the continuation of the battle among the planet’s top clubs for the world title.
