A disastrous few days for Real Madrid very nearly got worse this evening as they only just survived an incredible Shakhtar Donetsk comeback to hold on for a 4-3 victory in the Champions League.
Los Blancos, thrashed 4-0 by Barcelona in La Liga over the weekend, conceded three times in the final 12 minutes but got through stoppage time to secure top spot in Group A ahead of Paris Saint-Germain.
Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring on 18 minutes with his 450th club career goal. The Portuguese ended a three-match drought by heading home Gareth Bale’s cross-come-shot at the back post.
SEE MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo goal video:Portuguese reaches 450 landmark in club football
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Real thought that two goals in eight minutes after the restart had put the game to rest. Firstly, Luka Modric opened his account for the season by firing home a Ronaldo layoff to finish a flowing counter.
Dani Carvajal then added the pick of tonight’s seven goals from another Ronaldo assist. The full-back cut inside onto his left foot and bent a precise shot into the top corner beyond Andriy Pyatov.
Ronaldo capped a fine individual performance with his second goal on 70 minutes. Bale was his provider again with a dynamic dash down the left, and the Ballon d’Or holder converted at the second attempt.
Alex Teixeira’s penalty appeared nothing more than a consolation after 78 minutes, but a second strike from the Brazilian and one from Dentinho meant that Real greeted the final whistle with huge relief.
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