New manager Xabi Alonso got a much improved performance out of his side as they strolled into the last 16

Vinicius Jr had two goal involvements, and Real Madrid turned in a far more complete attacking performance as they saw off RB Salzburg with a comfortable 3-0 win in Philadelphia to round out their Club World Cup group stage effort in agreeable fashion.

Madrid were in command from the first minute. They looked a far more fluid side than in their first two contests, and needing an outright win to top the group, they showed, at times, how good this group may yet be. Vinicius Jr. was central to the effort, tucking in slightly off the left and constantly stretching the Salzburg defence. He scored the first, darting onto Bellingham's long pass, cutting inside and firing home with his weaker foot. He created the second soon after with a deft backheel that Federico Valverde gleefully slid into the bottom corner.

The second half was more of a controlled affair. Madrid had fewer attempts on target, but still created in moments. And when Salzburg applied pressure, Los Blancos were happy to soak it up and afforded the Austrian side pretty much nothing. Gonzalo Garcia rounded off the scoring shortly before full time with a delightful dink to put the game beyond doubt.

There were other positives, too. Antonio Rudiger looked something near his best in his first start following a knee operation in April. Dean Huijsen, 20, played with experience beyond his years. And Garcia – who seems destined to lose his spot once Mbappe returns in full – was an energetic presence up front. And perhaps best of all, the win gives Madrid a kind draw. They will take on Juventus next, in Miami on July 1, and avoid a presumptive matchup with another European giant until the semi-final. Group runner-up Al Hilal will be tasked with facing Manchester City the day before in Orlando.

There is a lot of work to do, and tougher tests will follow, but Alonso must be delighted with what he saw Thursday night.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Lincoln Financial Field…

GettyGoalkeeper & Defence

Thibaut Courtois (7/10):

Made a couple of saves but was otherwise reasonably untroubled.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (6/10):

Offered plenty of attacking ideas as a right-wing-back, even if he didn't always connect effectively. Easy to see how it could be an ideal role for him, though.

Antonio Rudiger (7/10):

Turned in a good shift in his first start in a few months. Will need time to get back to full fitness.

Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):

Showed his versatility by dropping into a back three at times and also helping progress the ball when needed. Clear why he will be important to this team.

Dean Huijsen (8/10):

Wonderfully composed at the back. Played all 90. He's very, very good.

Fran Garcia (7/10):

Darted up and down the left and got himself in a few good goalscoring positions, too.

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Arda Guler (6/10):

Less impactful than in the first couple of games in the competition. Linked play well but could have offered more in the final third.

Jude Bellingham (8/10):

A real workhorse in the middle of the park, and grabbed himself an assist, too.

Federico Valverde (8/10):

Took his goal wonderfully, covered ground for everyone else, and might have had a couple more.

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Gonzalo Garcia (7/10):

Made all of the right runs to free up Vinicius Jr., scored a lovely goal of his own.

Vinicius Jr. (9/10):

Absolutely on it from the first minute. Terrified the Salzburg defence with his pace, took his goal very well. The assist to Valverde was outrageous, too.

GettySubs & Manager

Luka Modric (6/10):

Not involved much in his 30 minutes of action.

Rodrygo (6/10):

Played off the left and fired wide a couple of times.

Jacobo Ramon (6/10):

Started his involvement by giving the ball away, but improved from there on out.

Dani Ceballos (6/10):

Offered midfield control when Madrid were a bit unsteady.

Brahim Diaz (N/A):

No time to make an impact.

Xabi Alonso (8/10):

Changed things up with the tracksuit top. Much better tactically too, running a 3-5-2 of sorts that got the best out of Vinicius and offered more midfield control. Good result, top performance.