Real Madrid have sealed first place in Group B after a victory over a battling Basel side at St-Jakob Park.

The Swiss team, who were looking to take a step closer to the second round themselves, tried to pick off Los Blancos on the counter-attack, but conceded plenty of possession to the European champions.

Real almost made an early breakthrough as Gareth Bale's header was held by Tomas Vaclik before Cristiano Ronaldo was denied after latching on to Karim Benzema's cross.

Carlo Ancelotti's men took the lead 10 minutes before the break when Benzema again linked up with Ronaldo, and this time the Portuguese forward found the back of the net.

Basel's best opportunity of the first half came when Derlis Gonzalez was afforded space to shoot, but Keylor Navas was on hand to keep his effort out.

Ronaldo was denied a second goal minutes after the break as Vaclik saved low down.

Basel then enjoyed their best period of the game as Shkelzen Gashi and Behrang Safari had efforts saved by Navas. Gashi had another effort blocked by the Costa Rican keeper soon after as the Swiss side looked likelier to score.

However, Los Blancos almost nabbed a crucial second as Bale struck the crossbar and with 14 minutes remaining, Ronaldo was also denied by the frame of the goal.

Basel tried to push for a late equaliser with Yoichiro Kakitani firing over in stoppage time but Real held on for a victory, which means that Liverpool can now qualify for the last 16 with a win over Basel at Anfield in a fortnight's time.