Real Madrid moved a step closer to qualifying for the next round of the UEFA Champions League after beating Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.
Madrid beat the Ukrainian side with a 2-1 scoreline at the Santiago Bernabeu to move top of the group table.
Karim Benzema scored both goals for the Los Blancos with his superb understanding with Vinicius Junior creating the needed win for the club.
The forward scored a goal in each half of the game to ensure that a repetition of last season’s performance at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium is not repeated.
Carlo Ancelotti made three changes from the starting lineup that beat Elche in the La Liga over the weekend. Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy and Karim Benzema all returned to the starting lineup, replacing Rodrygo Goes, Marcelo and Mariano Diaz.
Luka Modric had the opportunity to shoot Madrid into the lead after five minutes after being set up by Lucas Vazquez. But the midfielder’s effort was parried away by Anatolii Trubin in post for Shakhtar.
Benzema then opened the scoring 10 minutes later after Vinicius capitalised on a poor playout from the back by the home side to assist the France international. The Brazil international dispossessed Marlon off the ball before finding Benzema, who put the ball into the net.
Shakhtar drew level six minutes away from the first-half break – Fernando shot his effort past Thibaut Courtois after being played through by Alan Patrick. The away side capitalised on a lack of concentration from the Madrid backline to grab their equaliser before the break.
But for a timely interception from Courtois, the Ukrainian side could have taken the lead before the break – saving Fernando strike.
After the recess, a beautiful build-up from the right side of the Los Blancos attack saw Vinicius earn his second assist of the day, setting up Benzema once again.
The club’s top-scorer this season curled his effort into the bottom corner of the Shakhtar goal to beat Trubin from close range and restore Madrid’s lead.
The win means that Carlo Ancelotti’s side are now one win from advancing to the knockout stage of the European competition.
