Real Madrid clinched top spot in Champions League Group A thanks to an enthralling, Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired 4-3 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
Ronaldo opened the scoring after 18 minutes, turning Gareth Bale’s lob across goal over the line, before teeing up Luka Modric to smash home a second just after halftime.
Shakhtar needed a win and a favor from Malmo against Paris Saint-Germain in order to keep their chances of reaching the knockout rounds alive but a fine third goal from Dani Carvajal appeared to end any hopes of a comeback.
Ronaldo steered in his second and Madrid’s fourth after some more good work from Bale to cap an impressive display, though Alex Teixeira got a goal back from the penalty spot, before Dentinho’s header and Teixeira’s clever finish gave Shakhtar hope.
Madrid saw out a victory to help banish memories of its Clasico thrashing by Barcelona, although the loss of Raphael Varane to injury will come as a blow in what was otherwise a largely encouraging 90 minutes for the under-fire Rafael Benitez.
Subdued in the Clasico, Ronaldo looked determined to make amends and fired over the crossbar as early as the second minute to signal his intentions.
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