On June 26, 2025, Red Bull Salzburg vs Real Madrid played to a 1–1 draw in a decisive FIFA Club World Cup Group H match at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The result saw both teams finish with four points, but Real Madrid topped the group due to a superior goal difference, securing their place in the Round of 16. Salzburg, with a solid performance and resilient defense, also advanced as group runners-up. Despite missing star forward Kylian Mbappé due to illness, Madrid managed to hold off Salzburg’s energetic attack. The match was evenly contested, with both sides creating chances and sharing possession, highlighting the tactical strength and competitiveness of the tournament.
Recent Team Form
A clear snapshot of recent form heading into the June 26 showdown:
Red Bull Salzburg (Last 6 competitive matches)
Wins: Rapid Wien 4‑2 (May 24), Blau-Weiß Linz 2‑1 (May 18), Austria Wien 2‑0 (May 4), Rapid Wien earlier round (Mar 30)
Draw: Wolfsberger AC 1‑1 (Apr 24)
Loss: Sturm Graz 4‑2 (May 10), Wolfsberger AC 2‑1 (Apr 27)
Form: W‑W‑L‑W‑D‑L. Salzburg have shown strong domestic results with three wins in their last five, though they’ve slipped a couple times.
Real Madrid (Last 5 La Liga / domestic matches)
Wins: 4 of their last 5 — including a 2‑1 victory over Villarreal (Mar 15), and a strong 2‑1 Champions League win vs Atletico (Mar 4)
Loss: One recent defeat in La Liga (unspecified opponent), but otherwise dominant domestically
Form: W‑W‑W‑W‑L. Madrid come in on the back of four consecutive wins and only one loss—showcasing solid momentum.
Team Details
A breakdown of both teams’ squads as they headed into the June 26 match:
Red Bull Salzburg Squad (28-man CWC roster)
• Goalkeepers: Schlager, Krumrey, Zawieschitzky, Hamzic
• Defense: Rasmussen, S. Baidoo, Krätzig, Lainer, Gadou, Mellberg, Trummer, Schuster
• Midfield: Diabate, Kitano, Kjaergaard, M. Diambou, Kawamura, Bidstrup*, Gloukh, Sulzbacher, Yeo
• Attackers: Onisiwo, Vertessen, E. Baidoo, Ratkov, Daghim, Aguilar, Dorgeles Nene
Key players:
• Mads Bidstrup (captain, defensive-mid, 23 yrs)
• Stefan Lainer, right‑back and Salzburg returnee
Salzburg’s roster blends youth and experienced signings, anchored by midfield dynamism and a flexible back line.
Real Madrid Squad (2025 Club World Cup roster)
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin, Fran González, Mestre
Defenders: Trent Alexander‑Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Carvajal, Militão, Alaba, Rüdiger, Mendy, Vallejo, Fran García…
• New signings include Alexander‑Arnold (from Liverpool) and Huijsen (Bournemouth)
Midfielders: Bellingham, Valverde, Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Ceballos, Modrić, Arda Güler
• Luka Modrić, 39, captain and likely playing his final season
• Arda Güler, 20, creative attacking midfield talent
Attackers: Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., Rodrygo, Brahim Díaz, Endrick, plus youth options like Gonzalo García Torres
Standout newcomers:
• Kylian Mbappé, signed July 2024,
• Trent Alexander‑Arnold, right-back addition bringing elite crossing & passing
• Dean Huijsen, towering 20-year-old centre-back
Predicted Lineup
The predicted starting lineups Xabi Alonso was likely to deploy for the June 26 clash:
Real Madrid (3-4-3 preferred, 4-2-3-1 alternate)
• Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
• Defense (Back Three): Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rüdiger, Raúl Asencio
• Wing‑backs: Trent Alexander‑Arnold (right), Álvaro Carreras or Ferland Mendy (left)
• Midfield (central): Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde (or a trio with Modrić in a 4-2-3-1)
• Attacking Trio: Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., and Arda Güler (with Rodrygo as a potential alternative)
This version deploys a modern back‑three structure to integrate new signings and recoveries, with a fluid attack relying on Mbappé, Güler, and Vinícius .
Red Bull Salzburg (likely 4-4-2 or 4-4-2/4-3-3 hybrid)
• Goalkeeper: Alexander Schlager or Janis Blaswich
• Back Four: Leandro Morgalla / Joane Gadou, Samson Baidoo, Kamil Piatkowski, Aleksa Terzić
• Midfield Four: Mads Bidstrup, Nicolas Capaldo, Moussa Yeo, and Dorgeles Nene (or Oscar Gloukh on the left)
• Strike Pair: Adam Daghim and Oscar Gloukh or Petar Ratkov
This setup emphasizes solidity and quick transitions, with Bidstrup anchoring midfield and Gloukh/Nene supplying creativity.
Importance of the Match: Red Bull Salzburg vs Real Madrid
The Group H clash between Red Bull Salzburg and Real Madrid on June 26 carried critical competitive and symbolic significance for both clubs:
1. Group Decider in Club World Cup
This was the final and most decisive match in Group H, with both teams entering the game tied on points. A win would have secured first place, avoiding a tougher Round of 16 opponent. Ultimately, the 1–1 draw sent Real Madrid through as group winners on goal difference, while Salzburg advanced as runners-up.
2. Real Madrid’s Debut under Xabi Alonso in a Major Tournament
This was Madrid’s first major tournament under new manager Xabi Alonso. All eyes were on how he would manage stars like Mbappé, Bellingham, and Vinícius Jr., while testing new signings like Trent Alexander-Arnold. It served as a proving ground for tactical adjustments and squad chemistry.
3. A Milestone for Salzburg
Facing Real Madrid on a world stage was a historic opportunity for Red Bull Salzburg, not just to prove themselves tactically but to gain international respect. They showed they could hold their own against Europe’s elite, which boosts both their confidence and scouting visibility.
4. Player Spotlights
• Kylian Mbappé’s fitness and return was under scrutiny after illness.
• Modrić, possibly playing in his last FIFA tournament, continued to lead with experience.
• For Salzburg, young stars like Oscar Gloukh and Mads Bidstrup were under the global spotlight for potential big-club interest.
5. Knockout Implications
Finishing first in the group usually means a more favorable matchup in the Round of 16. Real Madrid ensured that path, which is crucial in such a short, high-stakes tournament format.
Conclusion: Salzburg vs Real Madrid
The 1–1 draw between Red Bull Salzburg and Real Madrid on June 26 was a tightly contested and strategically important fixture in the FIFA Club World Cup. Both teams showed their strengths—Salzburg with their energy, discipline, and tactical organization, and Madrid with world-class individual talent and composure under pressure. While the result left them level on points, Real Madrid topped Group H due to superior goal difference, securing a more favorable path into the knockout stage. Salzburg, though second, earned widespread respect for their performance against elite opposition. The match not only determined tournament standings but also provided a glimpse into the future of both clubs, Madrid’s evolving identity under Xabi Alonso and Salzburg’s continued rise on the international stage.
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