Vinícius Júnior reaches 100 goals with Real Madrid as club advances in Champions League

By Canadian Press on January 22, 2025.

MADRID (AP) — Vinícius Júnior reached 100 goals with Real Madrid in the team’s 5-1 victory over Salzburg on Wednesday to secure a playoff spot after a slow start in the Champions League.

Vinícius scored his 99th and 100th goals, according to UEFA, moving him into third place in the top Brazilian scorers in the Champions League with 28 goals in the competition. Neymar leads the way with 43, with Kaká second on 30.

Madrid, the defending champion and record 15-time European champion, had lost three of its first six matches in the new format of the Champions League and was at risk of elimination.

The victory moved Madrid to 16th place in the 36-team league phase of the competition.

Rodrygo also scored twice for Madrid, and Kylian Mbappé added another goal after a blunder by Salzburg goalkeeper Janis Blaswich.

Rodrygo has scored five goals in his last four matches, while Vinícius has three in his last two games. Mbappé also has five goals in his last four matches.

Jude Bellingham set up one of Vinícius’ goals with a neat back-heel flick.

Madrid next visits French club Brest.

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The Associated Press