The first leg of the last-16 Champions League clash between Schalke 04 and Real Madrid took place in Germany this evening.
The Spanish outfit led 2-0 at the interval following goals from Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.
Cristiano Ronaldo got his name on the scoresheet after 52 minutes, before Benzema netted his second before the hour mark.
Los Blancos were not finished, however, as Bale completed his brace after 69 minutes, before Ronaldo followed suit late on.
There was also a late consolation for the home side as Klaas-Jan Huntelaar rattled a volley into the top corner.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our Champions League last-16 coverage continues this evening as Schalke 04 welcome Real Madrid to Germany for the first leg. Tonight's meeting will be the first time that the two sides have met in a competitive fixture, while Schalke enter the fixture as the overwhelming underdogs against an in-form Los Blancos outfit.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS: Skipper Benedikt Howedes starts for the home side this evening, while there are also spots in the XI for Max Meyer and Kevin-Prince Boateng. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar also starts against his former club. As revealed by Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti on Tuesday, Gareth Bale starts for Los Blancos, while Marcelo has recovered from injury to take his spot in the team. Full team news to follow.
TEAMS:
SCHALKE: Fahrmann; Howedes, Matip, Santana, Kolasinac; Boateng, Neustadter; Farfan, Meyer, Draxler; Huntelaar
MADRID: Casillas; Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Alonso, Modric, Di Maria; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale
So there we have it. Attacking lineup for the home side this evening with Max Mayer, Draxler, Huntelaar and Farfan all in from the start. However, Obasi is only on the bench. Madrid, meanwhile, leave in-form Jese Rodriguez on their bench, but arguably have their strongest XI on the field. What a prospect this evening.
As mentioned, Schalke booked their spot in this stage of the competition by finishing second in Group E behind Premier League outfit Chelsea. They won three of their six matches, drawing once and losing twice in the process. Incredibly, they scored just six times and needed a 2-0 win over Basel on Matchday Six to set up the clash with Real Madrid.
Schalke have won only two of their last 11 European encounters against Spanish opponents, losing five times in the process. Overall, their record against La Liga clubs is won seven, drawn seven and lost nine. Meanwhile, Schalke have lost three of their four home Champions League games against Spanish opposition, all by the odd goal in one.
It has been a successful period for Schalke in Europe with the German outfit reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League for the third time in the last four seasons. Last season they were knocked out by Turkish outfit Galatasaray, but they beat Spanish opposition in the shape of Valencia at this stage of the 2010/11 competition.
If Schalke are to progress in this season's Champions League, the performances of Julian Draxler will surely be vital. The attacker, who has scored three goals in five Champions League games for the club this season, was strongly linked with a move to Arsenal in the January transfer window, but remained with the German outfit to aid their European challenge. The German can be seen arriving earlier this evening...
Schalke enter the match off the back of an impressive run in Bundesliga, where they have remained unbeaten since the winter break. As it stands, they sit in fourth position in the German league, just two points off second-place Bayer Leverkusen. They have won 12 of their 22 matches, losing just five times in the process.
The seven-time Bundesliga winners have won four of their last five in the league, including a 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen on February 15. It doesn't get any easier in terms of the league, however, as they travel to Bayern Munich at the weekend. Despite that match looming large, the home side will be fully focused on their task this evening.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, enter the match off the back of a 26-match unbeaten run. Los Blancos have not lost in any competition since suffering a 2-1 defeat in La Liga to Barcelona at the end of October and now sit top of the Spanish table by three points. Worryingly for their rivals, Carlo Ancelotti's side are yet to really hit
top form.
top form.
This season is the 17th consecutive campaign that Real Madrid have reached the knockout stages of the competition, while they have reached the semi-final in each of the last three seasons. That said, they have not been in the final since 2002, something which Ancelotti has been tasked with changing as the club seek their 10th European crown.
Incredibly, Real Madrid have won just one of their last 25 previous visits to German opposition, losing 18 times in the process. They have been eliminated in each of their last three knockout ties with German opposition and last season lost 4-1 to Borussia Dortmund in the final four. That is an incredible run when taking into account the Spanish side's rich history.
That said, the omens are good for Real Madrid. Ancelotti's side are one of only two teams currently unbeaten in this season's Champions League and have scored in each of their last 31 European matches, which is the longest run in the history of the competition. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 30 times in his last 24 Champions League games, including nine this season.
Despite Real Madrid's recent poor form against German opponents, they have defeated Bundesliga opposition in three European finals, the latest of which came in the 2002 Champions League against Bayer Leverkusen, which was the last time that Los Blancos claimed the crown.
Los Blancos boss Ancelotti, who won the competition four times as a player, has a fairly mixed record against German opposition as a coach having won four, drawn one and lost four of his nine meetings with Bundesliga teams. However, after a shaky start to the season, Real Madrid are now arguably the form team in Europe.
As touched upon, Real Madrid are in a stunning run of form in all competitions. They have won 15 of their last 16 matches and conceded just twice in their last five matches. That record has seen them move to the summit of La Liga with 13 matches remaining. Like Schalke, they have a key league match this weekend as they travel to title and capital rivals Atletico Madrid.
Here's a quick word from Schalke forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who faces his former club this evening. He told Marca: "I think our best weapon is our attacking play. We can score a goal at any point during the match and we are always a threat up front. You know that Germany tends to be a nightmare for Real Madrid. It's a good sign but we will see what happens. After all, this is football."
PREDICTION: Real Madrid's record in Germany is extremely poor, but I expect them to end that run this evening. Schalke certainly have players to worry the Spanish outfit, but I worry about their defence with Madrid's front three all in such strong form. My score prediction is 2-1 Real Madrid.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the first period. Once the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged, we will just about be ready to get the action underway. Sensational atmosphere inside the stadium as that wonderful Champions League tune plays.
Just a reminder that nothing will be decided this evening ahead of the second leg next month. However, you get the feeling that Schalke need to take a positive result to the Bernabeu if they are to progress. It will be interesting to see who really forces the issue. Right, the home side get the first period underway.
It must be said that this really is a wonderful arena. Bright start from the home side as Boateng threatens outside the Madrid box, but Pepe is across to clear the danger. Meyer gains a corner from the Portuguese moments later, which Howedes meets, but his header is just wide of the post. Sensational atmosphere!
Incredibly, Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has not conceded in his last nine matches in all competitions. That is the task facing the home side this evening. Not too much from the away side in the opening four minutes with Los Blancos starved off the ball thus far. Extremely confident start from the German outfit.
Cristiano Ronaldo has the chance to open his legs for the away side, but the Portuguese is ruled offside despite replays suggesting that the attacker was level with the final defender. Benzema collects a through pass from Di Maria moments later, but once more the flag is raised. Threatening signs from the away side.
Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the opening eight minutes with both sides just attempting to feel their way into the match. Both have been guilty of some sloppy passing in the final third, which is creating an open affair. It must be said that the pitch is also in sensational condition this evening.
Positive moment for Real Madrid as Ronaldo finds some space outside the box before playing in Marcelo, but his low cross is cleared by Matip. Moments later, Ronaldo takes control inside the area, but Santana clears the danger. The home side attempt to break with Farfan, but Carvajal has the pace to clear the danger.
Sight of goal for Real Madrid as Benzema makes a run beyond the Schalke attack, but Fahrmann is out to collect at the vital moment. Boateng has a half-chance down the other end after meeting a cross from Farfan, but his header is straight into the arms of Casillas. Just a few signs that both sides are starting to open up following a fairly cautious 13 minutes in Germany.
GOAL! Schalke 0-1 Real Madrid (Benzema)
Real Madrid take the lead with 13 minutes on the clock as Bale drives to the edge of the box before finding Ronaldo, whose flick falls into the pitch of Benzema. The French striker makes no mistake from inside the area to score his 19th goal in all competitions this season.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for the home side to level as Draxler meets a cross inside the six-yard box, but somehow Casillas is across to make a brilliant save. It falls to Meyer, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. What a couple of minutes in this Champions League affair!
Well, not too much happened in the early exchanges, but we have had one goal and should have had another in the last couple of minutes. The action has certainly sparked this game into life with Schalke more prepared to commit numbers in the final third, with Boateng, Draxler and Meyer all involved in positive areas.
Real Madrid have managed to quieten the crowd following their goal, but the home side continue to threaten in the final third. Farfan threatens to run past Marcelo down the left, but the defender is across to challenge at the vital moment. You just get the feeling that Schalke need to find the next goal in this match.
Bright work from the away side as Modric finds some space in the middle of the pitch before playing it wide to Carvajal, but his final cross is short of the required standard. Slightly untidy in midfield at the moment with referee Howard Webb forced to stop play following a couple of late challenges from the home side.
GOAL! Schalke 0-2 Real Madrid (Bale)
Stunning, just stunning from Bale. The Welshman shows great feet on the edge of the box as he dances past three defenders before finishing into the bottom corner. Brilliant start from the Spanish outfit.
How do the home side respond from this? The atmosphere is incredibly flat at the moment with the Spanish side in control of the match and indeed in control of the possession. Bale has a half-chance moments later as he finds some space outside the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for Real Madrid as Di Maria combines with Ronaldo on the edge of the box before driving towards goal, but the offside flag is raised when Ronaldo becomes active inside the area. Di Maria had the opportunity to have a shot before the flag was raised that is for certain.
You have to worry about Schalke if they concede another goal before the interval. In fairness to the home supporters, they are attempting to raise their team, but it is difficult against such an impressive Real Madrid outfit. Los Blancos are in control with 29 minutes on the clock in this Champions League fixture.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for the away side as Di Maria's corner flashes along the six-yard box, but the danger is scrambled clear by Boateng. Schalke attempt to break with Neustadter, but asks too much from Huntelaar, who is not the quickest. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
POST! Brilliant from Ronaldo as the Portuguese collects a pass from Di Maria before driving to the edge of the Schalke box, but his final effort smashes off the inside of the post. It should be 3-0.
Draxler is forced to leave the field for the home side with a bloodied nose, but it does appear that the German will be fit to return to action. It is Real Madrid that continue to threaten as Carvajal breaks down the right before cutting inside and finding Alonso, with Schalke unable to stamp their authority.
Better from the home side in the last couple of moments with Huntelaar move involved in the final third, but they are finding it difficult to really threaten Casillas in the Real Madrid goal. As it stands, the away side have had 58% of the ball and five attempts. In truth, they have utterly controlled this first 36 minutes.
CHANCE! Opportunity for the home side as Farfan combines with Howedes before striking towards goal, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Much more positive from the German outfit.
CHANCE! Chance immediately down the other end for Real Madrid as Di Maria finds the run of Ronaldo, but his effort is saved by Fahrmann. End-to-end football with 38 minutes on the clock in Germany.
When Real Madrid have taken the lead this season, they have won 29 of their 30 matches. Not quite what Schalke would have wanted to hear! Modric bursts into the Schalke box moments later, but Kolasinac is across to deny the Croatian midfielder. Moments later, Ronaldo gains a free kick outside the area from Boateng.
Ronaldo strikes the resulting free kick, but it smashes into the wall before he fires his second effort high and wide of the crossbar. The pressure continues as Marcelo delivers to the far post, but Benzema cannot collect under pressure from Santana. Madrid in total control with 43 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Real Madrid to make it 3-0 as Marcelo delivers towards the far post, but Benzema's effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Los Blancos could easily be out of sight here.
HALF-TIME: Schalke 0-2 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Real Madrid leading 2-0. It has been a stunning first-half performance from the Spanish outfit, with goals from Benzema and Bale the difference in Germany. Much for Schalke to ponder in the second 45 minutes.
STATISTICS: Los Blancos have dominated the possession with 58%, while they have had nine attempts - six of which have been on target - to Schalke's five. There has been just the one yellow card, however, with Di Maria booked for a challenge on Farfan just before the 30-minute mark.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have attacking options on their bench this evening in the shape of Obasi, Szalai and Goretzka. Meanwhile, Real Madrid have the likes of Isco and Jese Rodriguez on a youthful-looking bench. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. One thing is for certain - Schalke need a response. They cannot enter the second leg at the Bernabeu as it stands. In the other last-16 Champions League tie this evening, Chelsea are leading Galatasaray 1-0 in Turkey. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes underway in Germany.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that the both managers will consider alterations over the next 20 minutes or so. Confident start to the second period from the away side, who have passed the ball extremely well thus far this evening.
Half-chance for the home side as Farfan finds some space outside the box before testing Casillas, but the Real Madrid stopper is across to make the save. Los Blancos are down the other end with Bale moments later, but his low cross into the box is cleared by Matip. End-to-end start to the second 45 minutes in Germany.
It's bright work from Farfan as the Schalke winger turns on the edge of his own box before breaking into the Real Madrid half, but his pass fails to find Meyer. Real Madrid are down the other end with Ronaldo moments later, but the Portuguese cuts inside before losing possession. Still 2-0 Los Blancos with 53 minutes on the clock in this Champions League last-16 first leg.
GOAL! Schalke 0-3 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
Stunning, just stunning from Ronaldo. The Portuguese drives past Matip inside the box before flashing his effort into the bottom corner. That is 10 goals in six Champions League games for the Portuguese.
Where do Schalke go from here? For starters they need to keep the ball. However, they continue to come under constant pressure from the Spanish outfit. Another half-chance arrives for Los Blancos as Benzema meets a cross from Di Maria, but the Frenchman clips his effort high and wide of the crossbar. It could be 4-0.
GOAL! Schalke 0-4 Real Madrid (Benzema)
Real Madrid have their fourth of the match as Benzema combines with Ronaldo before rolling his effort into the bottom corner for his 20th goal of the season. That is tie over.
The home side make their first change of the match as Goretzka enters the field in place of Boateng, who has struggled to influence proceedings this evening. Still no movement on the Real Madrid bench, but they are not exactly short of options. Little over 30 minutes of normal time remaining in Germany.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last few moments with the home side guilty of making a number of late challenges. Ronaldo is on the receiving end of a late one from Farfan, but the resulting free kick is played short before the danger is cleared by Santana. Not much of an atmosphere inside the stadium with 62 minutes on the clock. Los Blancos are in total control.
Another half-chance for the home side as Carvajal drives down the right before delivering towards Benzema, but Santana is on hand to clear the danger. The resulting corner is met by the head of Pepe, but his effort is blocked by Matip. Not too much to report in terms of clear opportunities in the last few moments.
Farfan remains the main outlet for the home side as the attacker drives down the right before delivering into the box, but Alonso is on hand to clear the danger. In truth, this tie is already over. It isn't nice to say that ahead of the second leg, but Schalke probably need to score three times in the final stages of this match to stand a chance in the Bernabeu next month.
Real Madrid make their first change of the match with little over 20 minutes remaining as Spanish midfielder Isco enters the field in place of Di Maria, who has been effective this evening. In tonight's other Champions League last-16 first leg, Galatasaray have just equalised against Chelsea to leave the score at 1-1.
GOAL! Schalke 0-5 Real Madrid (Bale)
Bale scores his second of the evening as the Welshman collects a through pass from Ramos before curling his effort into the bottom corner. It gets better and better for the Spanish outfit.
How can anyone stop this Real Madrid team at the moment? They are just in stunning form and I would not be a surprised if we had not seen the last of the scoring. The team in orange continue to flash around the pitch with the home side simply unable to match the intensity. Little under 20 minutes of football remaining.
The home side make their second change of the match as Obasi enters the field in place of Farfan. Isco is involved for the away side moments later as he drives through the heart of the Schalke midfield, but he cannot find the run of Ronaldo. Los Blancos are not finished as they continue to force the issue.
Real Madrid make their second change of the match as Illarramendi replaces Alonso, who has once more been brilliant in the middle of midfield. Ramos has a half-chance from a corner moments later, but the Spanish centre-back fires his header wide of the post. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining in Germany.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for Bale as the Welshman meets a cross from Carvajal, but his header is just wide of the post. Moments later, the home side make their third and final change with Fuchs replacing the injured Kolasinac.
In fairness to the home supporters, they have been just wonderful this evening. Their team is 5-0 behind in the last-16 stage of the Champions League, but the fans continue to create a brilliant atmosphere. Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last few moments with Schalke struggling to raise their game.
It does not get any easier for Real Madrid as one of La Liga's brightest talents, Jese, enters the field in place of Bale, who has been just terrific in Germany. Obasi has been a threat for the home side since entering proceedings, but the Nigerian international has little support in the final third.
CHANCE! Ronaldo has the chance to score his second as the Portuguese faces up to the Schalke goalkeeper just inside the box, but Fahrmann is on hand to make a brilliant save. Ronaldo could have had five or six this evening there is no question about that.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments with almost a pre-season pace engulfing the tie. It remains to be seen what type of team Schalke put out in the second leg with key Bundesliga matches to come next month. In tonight's other Champions League clash, Galatasaray are still level at 1-1 with Premier League outfit Chelsea.
Benzema thinks that he has the chance to complete his hat-trick as he collects a pass from Marcelo, but the Frenchman had moved into an offside position. Madrid's full-backs continue to attack at will with the home side offering little in the final third. Little over two minutes of normal time remaining in Germany.
GOAL! Schalke 0-6 Real Madrid (Ronaldo)
Real Madrid have their sixth, yes sixth, of the evening as Benzema slides in Ronaldo, who drives into the box before rounding the goalkeeper and finishing in the bottom corner. Just sensational.
GOAL! Schalke 1-6 Real Madrid (Huntelaar)
Oh my word that is some strike from Huntelaar! Late consolation for the home side as the Dutch forward rattles a wonderful volley into the top corner. That is the best of the night!
FULL-TIME: Schalke 1-6 Real Madrid
Wow. Howard Webb brings the match to a close with Real Madrid winning 6-1 in Germany. Stunning from the Spanish outfit. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us tomorrow for more European football. Until then!
