Real Madrid, the defending champions of the Champions League, are back on track in the European competition, beating Red Bull Salzburg 5-1 to ensure that they will not be eliminated at the first hurdle.
Vinicius Junior and Rodrigo Gos scored twice each in a brutal performance at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, with France superstar Kylian Mbappe also scoring.
Carlo Ancelotti's side have made a worrying start to the campaign, losing three of their first six games and will likely have to compete in the extra play-offs in February unless they can finish in the top eight. This is part of the new format of the game.
Brazilian winger Rodrigo scored twice in the first half to help Real Madrid take control of the game. Mbappe scored shortly after the break and Vinicius also scored twice.
Defeats to Liverpool, AC Milan and Lille have put Real Madrid under pressure ahead of their final two group games, and their Austrian visitors started well enough to hold off Real Madrid.
Madrid produced nothing of note until Rodrigo's opener after 23 minutes changed the dynamic of the game.
Mbappe, Vinicius, Rodrygo and Bellingham all made their final choices for Real Madrid
The winger has been in superb form in recent weeks, scoring eight goals in his last nine games, and he finished beautifully after Jude Bellingham pushed a cross into his path at the back post. Finished the game.
His second goal was even better, with a brilliant back-heeled strike from Bellingham, before Rodrygo completed the first with a crisp curling shot.
Mbappe added his third goal early in the second half, taking the ball from Salzburg goalkeeper Janis Blasovich and slotting home to extend his run after a shaky start to life in Madrid. Recent good condition.
Experienced midfielder Luka Modric set up Madrid's fourth goal with a fine pass from Vinicius Júnior down the left, and the Brazilian fired a powerful shot past the Blaugrana. Laswich.
Vinicius scored again after Fede Valverde broke through in midfield, sending him through after a clever team move, with the striker finding the back of the net with ease after losing his marker.
Mads Biederstrup's subsequent volley provided little consolation to Salzburg and extended Real's enviable record of conceding goals in every Champions League game this season.
Despite the late setback, Madrid's dismantling job was just what they needed to ease their nerves after a poor start.
The victory moved Real Madrid into 16th place, one point behind eighth-placed Bayer Leverkusen, the last place to advance directly to the last 16.
PSG come from behind to beat Manchester City in Paris
Paris Saint-Germain came back from two goals down to beat Manchester City 4-2 in the Champions League, leaving the English champions out of the play-offs and in danger of being eliminated.
Goals from Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Bakela, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos allowed Manchester City to seize the game and turn the game around. situation.
Substitute Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland scored in the 50th and 53rd minutes respectively to help Manchester City lead 2-0, but the fans who came to the Parc des Princes in the pouring rain were greeted by There was a wonderful comeback.
In the 56th minute, Dembele received a pass from Bakola and scored. Four minutes later, Desir Douai's powerful shot bounced off the crossbar and Bakola grabbed the rebound to equalize for the home side.
In the 78th minute, Paris Saint-Germain took the lead at Manchester City's half. The visiting team's defense was unable to clear Vitinha's free kick, and Neves scored with a header at the back post. Ramos scored the fourth goal in stoppage time.
PSG climbed to 22nd in the standings, while Manchester City dropped to 25th, one spot below playoff qualification.