Real Madrid have survived a late comeback from Shakhtar Donetsk to hold out for a 4-3 victory in their Champions League clash this evening.
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The visitors had a glorious chance to take the lead in the early stages of the match as Luka Modric slipped a pass in to the feet of Cristiano Ronaldo on the edge of the box, but the forward could only fire his effort over the crossbar.
Ronaldo made amends for his miss when he headed his side in front in the 18th minute as he finished a fine team move which involved Modric and Gareth Bale.
The Croatian dropped the ball behind the home side's backline with a pinpoint pass and Bale managed to beat Shakhtar keeper Andriy Pyatov to the ball to find Ronaldo at the back post to nod into the net.
Donetsk put the visitors under pressure before the break as Alex Teixeira saw his low cross into the box turned behind by Pepe at the near post, while Oleksandr Gladkiy put a close-range header wide of the target after latching on to Bernard's cross on the left.
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However, Madrid doubled their lead in the second half on the counter as Ronaldo raided down the right before he found the run of Modric in the box for the midfielder to slam his strike past Pyatov.
Daniel Carvajal then added a third goal for Rafael Benitez's men with Ronaldo again the architect as the Portuguese played the ball into his path on the edge of box, and the full-back found the top corner with an impressive left-footed strike.
Madrid put the game beyond Donetsk in the 70th minute when Bale won the ball in midfield and speeded in space down the left. The Welshman squared the ball to Ronaldo, whose first effort was blocked, but he latched on to the rebound to slot home.
Shakhtar earned a penalty when Taison was brought down by Casemiro 12 minutes from time. Teixeira took the spot kick and managed to drill his effort past Kiko Cassila, despite the keeper getting a hand to the ball.
The home side reduced the deficit to two goals when Dentinho was left unmarked at the back post to turn the ball home with his chest following Bernard's corner.
Mircea Lucescu's men sent hearts racing throughout the Arena Lviv when Teixeira notched his second strike of the game as he collected the ball 12 yards from goal before sending an effort beyond the reach of Casilla.
However, the home side could not muster another opportunity in stoppage time as Real held out to claim the three points.
Simon Sinclair
