Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo scored twice as Real Madrid cruised past Salzburg

Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr scored twice each as Real Madrid demolished Salzburg 5-1 to ease any lingering fears of relegation from the Champions League.

The defending champions lost three of their first six games in the revamped competition and started the night in 22nd place. But they showed their muscle in a marked way with two goals from Rodrygo in the first half, both assisted by Jude Bellingham, calming their nerves.

Kylian Mbappe added the third three minutes into the second half and two goals from Vinicius Jr. they put Madrid in complete control long before Mads Bidstrup scored a late consolation.

Man City slipped into the Champions League elimination zone after losing to PSG 📉 pic.twitter.com/sgLURkV5rB

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 22, 2025

There were similar levels of relief in Paris when PSG staged a stunning comeback to beat Manchester City and return to the play-offs.

The hosts were 2-0 down thanks to goals from Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland, but Ousmane Dembele inspired a turnaround.

The former Barcelona winger reduced the deficit and then Bradley Barcola made it 2-2 with all four goals in the space of 10 frantic minutes.

PSG weren’t finished though and Joao Neves headed them ahead before Gonzalo Ramos made it 4-2 with the last strike of the game.

PSG have moved up to 22nd, but City must now beat Club Brugge at the Etihad next week to have any chance of making the top 24.

Bayern beaten in Rotterdam

Bayern Munich will likely have to settle for the play-offs after a surprising 3-0 defeat at Feyenoord.

Santiago Jimenez scored twice, the second time from the penalty spot, and Ayase Ueda added a late third for the Rotterdammers.

Celtic were also home winners after Loris Benito’s late own goal earned the Glasgow side a 1-0 victory over Young Boys.

Brendan Rodgers’ side dominated but it looked as if it might not be their night when Marvin Keller saved Arne Engels’ penalty. Benito’s late error, however, means Celtic are guaranteed a place in the play-offs despite Daizen Maeda’s sending off.

The big guns have almost guaranteed the top eight spots

After tonight’s victories, Arsenal and Inter have almost secured a place among the top eight.

Lautaro Martinez’s goal was enough for Inter to win over Sparta Prague, while Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard were on target for Arsenal who beat Dinamo Zagreb.

AC Milan are also well placed in sixth place after a 1-0 win over Girona thanks to a brilliant goal from Rafael Leao.

Benjamin Sesko was on target as RB Leipzig secured their first win with a 2-1 defeat of Sporting CP, while Brest’s hopes of finishing in the top eight were dashed by a 2-0 defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk.