World Cup exit after Real Madrid defeat
Good performance despite lack of clinical edge
Our very special journey is over. After beating Pachuca and drawing against Al-Hilal, a 0-3 defeat to a phenomenal Real Madrid side sees us finish our group in third.
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Our boys can still be delighted though with how they represented Salzburg and Austria on the international stage - and can journey home with four World Cup points proudly in tow.
Match summary
Xabi Alonso's side made the early running as they zipped the ball around under the summer rain in Philadelphia. Just as they had done against Al-Hilal, our defence saw out a period of opposing dominance determinedly while keeping any big danger away from Christian Zawieschitzky.
It wasn't until the 20th minute when our young goalkeeper was tested for the first time - by pulling off a save worthy of a World Cup stage. Vinicius Junior was suddenly alone in front of the 18-year-old, but our young keeper stood tall and made a super stop with his feet.
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We gained increasing attacking courage shortly before the 30-minute mark. First Nene went close (27') before Edmund Baidoo (28') saw the ball run away from him in a good position. We had grown right into the encounter with Los Blancos now having to drop deep to contain our pressure - with only the final pass and finish lacking. The Spanish giants then pounced on the break as Vinicius Junior was supplied again - and he slammed the ball into the bottom left (40').
We did not allow our heads to drop for long with Petar Ratkov having a chance for a quick equaliser (44'), only for Vinicius Junior to tee up Valverde to make it 2-0 just before the break (45+3').
Substitute Adam Daghim had two dangerous efforts early in the second period, and our Red Bulls continually threatened Thibaut Courtois without being able to get the ball into the net. We had chances but simply missed too many to trouble a side of the class of Real Madrid.
We certainly put in a good account of ourselves in so many ways in a packed and noisy Lincoln Financial Field, with just a little lacking in terms of efficiency in front of goal. We went really close when Bellingham cleared a big chance from Edmund Baidoo away from the line (67'), and we went within inches of a goal from a 73rd-minute corner.
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The final scoreline might not have suggested it, but a result was on against Real Madrid tonight. We threw everyone forward in the final stages in search of two goals to send us through, and Gonzalo Garcia scored a third on the break (84'). Our unforgettable adventure at the FIFA Club World Cup has therefore come to an end.
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To follow.
Line-up
Substitutions
Kjaergaard for Diambou (46'), Daghim for Ratkov (46'), Vertessen for Diabate (73'), S. Baidoo for Nene (90'), Onisiwo for E. Baidoo (90')
Yellow cards
None
Injury news
Not available for the match were Mads Bidstrup (calf), Takumu Kawamura (knee), Alexander Schlager (wrist), Valentin Sulzbacher (thigh) and Moussa Yeo (knee).
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