K. Huntelaar has scored a goal for Schalke 04! Assist by C. Fuchs.
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLL FOR SCHALKE!! ONE FOR THE FANS WHO STAYED BEHIND!! The ball is floated to the edge of the box and Huntelaar smashes an absolutely fantastic volley into the top right corner! A minor consolation, but what a strike! Six-one!
89'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by K. Benzema.
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL FOR REAL MADRID! SIX-NIL! Goretzka loses the ball horribly in midfield and Isco pounces before passing to Benzema, who slides the ball through to Ronaldo. The Portuguese easily rounds the keeper before passing home.
87'
The Schalke fans give Ronaldo a rollicking after he goes down clutching his chest after a bulldozing challenge from Matip. The home side sportingly put the ball out, much to the annoyance of the Vetins-Arena faithful.
85'
Madrid just professionally keeping the ball at the moment as they run down the clock to the final whistle. They could probably afford play their Real Madrid 'Castilla' team in the second leg, such as the vast goalscoring lead they take into the match at Santiago Bernabeu.
83'
And so the Schalke fans continue to sing away. Quite incredible really considering what they have witnessed, and it's not just been a difference in class, there has been a lack of composure and desire from the German side. Did they think they were beat before the first whistle? Perhaps.
81'
Ronaldoooo! Good save again from Fahrmann! The former Manchester United star collects possession in the final third and skips past a couple of challenges before rifling a left-footed strike at goal, but it was central, and the Schalke keeper makes the save.
80'
Jesé enters the game and replaces G. Bale.
79'
Carlo Ancelotto utilises his extensive qualities on the bench as he introduces Jese in place of Bale. The 21-year-old has scored five goals in his last six appearances, Schalke will be happy to hear.
77'
Jens Keller finally takes Kolasinac out of the firing line as he's replaced at left-back by Christian Fuchs. The Bosnian has had a complete horror performance against Bale down that wing.
76'
C. Fuchs enters the game and replaces S. Kolašinac.
Meyer appears in that little pocket in front of the defence again and looks to disguise an incisive pass through the middle for Draxler, but Sergio Ramos reads it perfectly, and moves the play out of defence for Madrid.
Minute
Description
74'
Just over 15 minutes remaining here for Schalke to take something, anything out of this game. There's no way they are going to have a chance of going through, but a goal would be nice for their fans, who, to their credit, haven't stopped singing all night.
73'
Illarramendi enters the game and replaces Xabi Alonso.
72'
C. Obasi enters the game and replaces J. Farfán.
K. Huntelaar gets yellow.
Jens Keller may be looking to rest his star players for the wekeend now as this game is clearly lost. Jefferson Farfan, who has arguably been Schalke's brightest attacking player, is replaced on the right by Chinedu Obasi.
71'
Signs of real frustration creeping in for the hosts here, and no wonder. Huntelaar is the latest player to go lose the head as he goes in dangerously, and late, on Modric. Yellow card to the Dutchman, who'll want to forget all about his match against his former club.
70'
A Madrid win may have been predicted at the start of play, but nothing quite like this. They have absolutely demolished Schalke, who are placed high up in the German Bundesliga.
69'
G. Bale has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Sergio Ramos.
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL FOR REAL MADRID! THAT'S FIVE!! Sergio Ramos struts into midfield and threads a lovely pass through to Bale, who runs through on goal unopposed before curling a strike into the bottom left corner! FIVE-nil Madrid! Schalke, dear oh dear.
68'
Isco enters the game and replaces Á. Di María.
First substitution of the match from Carlo Ancelotti as the impressive Angel Di Maria is swapped for Isco, who'll slot in seamlessly in midfield.
67'
Max Meyer, who has been extremely quiet tonight, collects possession in his favoured role just in front of the opposition defence before drilling a superb pass out to the right for Farfan, who looks to take on Marcelo...
65'
Schalke go on a rare counterattack as Xabi Alonso gives the ball away needlessly in midfield. Farfan leads the charge as he gallops down the right-hand side, but his cross into the box is like his side's performance tonight: Flat.
63'
Howedes is the latest player to go into the book as he hacks away at the shins of Marcelo on the left flank. A deserved yellow card for the Schalke captain, who accepts the disciplinary action before looking away. Looked a sore one!
62'
B. Höwedes gets yellow.
61'
Madrid have the free kick on the left-hand side but opt to take it quick as Di Maria lays the ball off to Modric, who in turn sweeps it back inside to Xabi Alonso.
59'
L. Goretzka enters the game and replaces K. Boateng.
Jens Keller makes the opening change of the match as he introduces Leon Goretzka in play of Kevin Prince-Boateng, who has barely had a touch of the ball tonight.
57'
K. Benzema has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Cristiano Ronaldo.
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLL FOR REAL MADRID! THIS IS GETTNG EMBARRASSING FOR SCHALKE! Benzema drifts inside and exchanges a simple give and go with Ronaldo before bursting into the box, rounding the keeper, and slotting home. Four-nil.
56'
Schalke really need to pick themselves up, or else they are out the Champions League with a complete whimper.
54'
The Schalke defence has not covered themselves in glory at all tonight. Matip, Howedes, Felipe Santana and Kolasinac have all been torn apart in this opening 54 minutes. The bad news for them is that they have over half an hour to go.
52'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Real Madrid!
GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLL FOR REAL MADRID!! THE ASCENDANCY OF THE HOSTS SWIFTLY HALTED! Bale slides the ball out to Ronaldo and he turns Matip inside out before smashing a shot into the far corner! Terrific! Three-nil! Is this tie over already?!
51'
Much, much better from the home side in the opening stages of the second half here. There is at least some tempo in their passing of the ball, with Farfan in particular looking dangerous.
49'
Farfan initially does brilliantly again as he leaves Xabi Alonso for dead on the halfway line with a clever flick round the corner, but the eventual diagonal pass to Draxler doesn't come off and Modric manages to intercept.
48'
Much better from Farfan. The Peruvian nutmegs Marcelo before bursting down the right wing, only to be unceremoniously blocked by Sergio Ramos, but the Madrid man manages to escape a booking.
47'
Modric receives possession from Carvajal down the right and glides down the right wing before threading a pass down the channel for Bale, who lashes a low cross into the box, but Schalke manage to clear out of the danger area.
46'
We are back under way in this Champions League clash!
45' +1
Fahrmann denied Ronaldo once again! The Schalke keeper is probably the only home player with pass marks as he blocks the strike at the front post! The Madrid man looking frustrated!
45'
One minute of injury time added on by the ref. Probably a minute too much for Schalke, they really need a break here.
43'
Ohhhhh NEARLY for Benzema!!! Marcelo bursts down the left wing and hits the byline before swinging a cross to the back post, but the Frenchman just can't stretch enough to divert the ball home!
41'
Madrid looking very comfortable as we approach half time here. The one thing that Schalke cannot afford is to lose another before the break, but Madrid are going for the jugular.
39'
The whole of the Veltins-Arena stands still as Ronaldo poises himself to step up and take a free kick, but it's a disappointing one from the Madrid man, and the set-piece crashes into the wall.
37'
Ronaldoooooo! Great save from Fahrmann! Di Maria counterattacks at tremendous pace through the middle and slides a pass through to the Portuguese, who tries his luck with a left-footed strike, but the oncoming Schalke keeper does well to remain big and make the block.
36'
I can only assume that Schalke's tactics here will be to stay conservative in the first half and then launch an assault on the Madrid defence in the second period. They have to get at least one goal here, or the tie is over before we even reach Santiago Bernabeu.
35'
Julian Draxler just pops off of the field for a minute with what looks like a nosebleed, but he'll more than likely be able to continue.
34'
We are only 34 minutes into the first leg of this Champions Leaugue tie, and already the Madrid fans are opting to shout 'OLE' for every pass their team makes. Absolutely no signs of a fightback from the German side as of yet.
32'
RONALDO HITS THE POST! SCHALKE ARE ON THE ROPES HERE! The Ballon d'Or winner takes on the defenders with some lightning-quick stepovers before lashing a right-footed shot at goal. It comes off the woodwork, and Fahrmann gratefully gathers!
31'
I don't even think Xabi Alonso or Modric have broke sweat yet. The attacking trio of Meyer, Draxler, and Farfan need to do much more to apply pressure to the Madrid midfield. The visitors have got the freedom of the pitch to pick out passes.
29'
Á. Di María gets yellow.
The referee, Howard Webb, calls Di Maria over and awards a yellow card to the Argentine for a previous challenge on Jefferson Farfan. The Peruvian was just tripped as he turned and ran forward inside the centre circle. Deserved booking.
27'
Madrid are just oozing confidence from every orifice here. Every aspect of their play is being done with zip, pace and authority. Schalke look like they want the tie to be over already.
25'
Di Maria takes on two or three Schalke players on the edge of the box before looking to exchange a one-two with Ronaldo. The Argentine bursts into the box to receive the pass, but the flag goes up for offside.
23'
The big decision for Ancelotti this week was to whether he played Bale or Jese tonight. I'd say the Italian has got this one right so far!
22'
Schalke are quickly fading out of the Champions League here. They need to sort themselves out, and QUICK.
21'
G. Bale has scored a goal for Real Madrid!
GOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLLL FOR REAL MADRID! ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC FROM BALE! Benzema flicks the ball into the path of the Welshman, who cuts inside from the right and delightfully shifts the ball back and forth between the challenges of Kolasinac and Felipe Santana before rifling a strike in the bottom corner! Two-nil!
19'
That was Real Madrid's 105th goal of the season. Quite unbelievable really, they just love finding the back of the net!
18'
After a rather friendly opening 10 minutes or so the game has suddenly burst into life with a Madrid goal and a sitter for Draxler. The home side need to keep their nerve here, and just aim to get back into the game by clawing a goal back.
16'
That's a poor challenge from Di Maria. Boaten collects the ball on the right-hand side and looks to drive forward down the channel, but he is rather cynically scythed down by the Argentine, and the home side get the free kick in a dangerous position.
14'
CASILLAS WITH A WONDER SAVE!!! A cross is lashed across the six-yard box and Julian Draxler cushions a shot on the half-volley, but the Madrid goalkeeper somehow gets across goal to beat the strike away! The German should have scored, but what a save!
13'
K. Benzema has scored a goal for Real Madrid!
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL FOR REAL MADRID! LOS BLANCOS OPEN THE SCORING! Gareth Bale cuts inside from the right-hand side and looks to exchange a one-two with Ronaldo. However, the ball eventually drops perfectly for Benzema, who lashes home! One-nil Madrid!
12'
Madrid are just patiently knocking the ball around at the moment, and Schalke seem to be happy to let them do it. Sergio Ramos, to Pepe, to Modric, to Xabi Alonso, and round again. No rush.
11'
Benzema looks to get in behind the defence with a ball over the top of the top by Felipe Santana does well to marshal the ball through to Fahrmann. Nearly a fantastic pass from Modric.
9'
The Portuguese breaks out to the right-hand side this time and look to take the ball down on his chest before having a strike at goal, but before he can pull the trigger he is dispossessed by Howedes.
7'
The ball breaks to Ronaldo down the left-hand side and he attempts to twist and turn past Matip, but he Cameroonian remains solid to claw possession back for Schalke. He receives a warm clap from his fans.
6'
Madrid have just began to exert their authority on proceedings. Modric, Di Maria, and Xabi Alonso have got close-knit in the central areas and are controlling the possession with short passes.
5'
Modric slides the ball out to Carvajal, and the former Leverkusen man clips a pass up the wing for Bale, but Kolasinac does well to usher the ball through to the oncoming Fahrmann.
4'
Ohhh that's a very, very close offside! Di Maria threads a pass in behind the defence for Benzema, who collects the ball in his path and drives forward, but the Frenchman is flagged by the linesman. Hardly anything in that one.
3'
Neither side has settled in the first few minutes here. A lot of long balls have been played forward into the channels missing out the midfield, probably in an attempt to apply early pressure.
2'
Predictably, the fans in the Veltins-Arena are creating a superb atmosphere! Schalke will need their home fans to be the 12th man tonight!
Howedes!!! Chance early doors for the hosts! The ball is floated into the area for the Schalke captain, who glances a header towards the bottom corner, but it just grazes the post!
1'
We are under way in Gelsenkirchen!
Good evening football fans, and welcome to LIVE coverage of the Champions League Round of 16 first leg clash between Schalke and Real Madrid from the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen!
I'm Martin Macdonald, and I'll be reporting on the action!
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Modric, Di Maria; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale.
That's right folks, all the star players are on show tonight!
The most important inclusion for Real Madrid is that of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese has been serving a 3-match suspension domestically in Spain, but is eligible to feature in European matches.
Over the past week or so there has been a debate amongst the Madrid fans as to who will start tonight. Gareth Bale or Jese Rodriguez?
The 21-year-old has been superb in his maiden season as a first team regular, but loses out to Los Blancos' 100 million Euro signing, Bale, who features up top alongside Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar spearheads the Schalke attack tonight as he faces his former club. It wasn't the most prosperous period of his career when in the Spanish capital, so the Dutchman will have extra incentive to grab a goal.
Real Madrid go into this match as favourites, but their travels to Germany have been far from happy over the years...
The Spanish Primera Division leaders arrive in Gelsenkirchen having only won one of the last 25 matches in Germany, with the solitary victory coming against Bayer Leverkusen 14 years ago.
However, Carlo Ancelotti's outfit are in sensational form, and have notched up 15 wins in their last 16 games in all competitions.
Ronaldo ended the groups having broken the record for the amount of goals scored by a single player in that stage of the competition. The Poruguese tallied up nine strikes as Real Madrid saw off Galatasaray, Juventus, and Copenhagen.
Madrid may not have a great record against German opposition, but the Schalke's form against opponents from Spain doesn't inspire confidence either...
Die Knappen have only won two of their last 11 clashes with Spanish sides, coming on the end of a defeat five times.
Domestically, however, Schalke have had a steady first half of the season and have climbed up to fourth in the Bundesliga thanks to their recent form of six wins and two draws from eight games.
Everyone knows the importance of away goals in these two-leg clashes in the Champions League, and, unfortunately for Schalke, the signs points to a goal for Real Madrid tonight...
Los Blancos have scored in a record 31 Champions League games in a row and also broke the record for the amount of goals scored in the group stage, with 20.
Madrid will be hoping for a much better night than their last trip to Germany, which saw them thumped 4-1 by Robert Lewandowski and Borussia Dortmund, who went on to be competition runners-up.
Five minutes to kick-off folks!
Here we go, the Champions League theme! Never gets old!
Half time in Gelsenkirchen. Real Madrid have gone about their business confidently and look to be brushing Schalke out of the Champions League as they lead 2-0 at the break in this first leg thanks to goals from Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale. A few fleeting signs of a goal from the hosts, and a wonder save from Iker Casillas, but there's only one winner in this at the moment, and that's Madrid.
The pressure if on for Schalke coach Jens Keller to make some changes here. If the same formula as the first half happens again, it will again be Madrid dominance.
Full time in Gelsenkirchen. Real Madrid send a message out to rest of Europe as they demolish Schalke 6-1. A double each from Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and Karim Benzema see Los Blancos on their way to a stunning away victory that was never really in doubt from the first whistle. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar got on the scoresheet with a stunning consolation strike in the last few minutes but barring a complete miracle, Carlo Ancelotti's men are heading to the quarter finals of the Champions League. I'm Martin Macdonald, thanks for joining us, see you next time!
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