Ronaldo scores twice, Real takes top spot in Champions League

Successfully recovering from the defeat at El Clasico, the Spanish Royal team defeated Shakhtar to soon complete the task of the group stage of this season's Champions League.

Ronaldo is too important to Real. Photo: Reuters

Result: Shakhtar Donetsk 3-4 Real Madrid

Goals: Alex Teixeira 78' penalty, 89', Dentinho 83' - Ronaldo 18', 70', Modric 50', Carvajal 52'

Ronaldo asserted his role as the main striker when he finished after two crosses from the left wing in the 18th and 70th minutes, scoring an important double for Real. In two other situations, this player also made his mark when he assisted Luka Modric and Dani Carvajal to score. After the rain of goals, Shakhtar Donetsk rose up in the last 15 minutes but could only score three goals.

With the victory in the fifth round of the Champions League group stage, Real has 13 points, three more than the second-placed team PSG. This achievement ensures that Rafa Benitez's team is at the top regardless of the result of the final round. Real is currently ahead of PSG in direct confrontation.

Compared to the defeat against Barca on November 21, coach Benitez made a wise choice in the starting lineup. Adding a midfielder helped the midfield play more solidly, while withdrawing Karim Benzema, who was in poor form, created conditions for the Bale - Ronaldo duo to play more effectively. Thanks to that, Real led by four goals in the first 70 minutes before the home team equalized.

Ronaldo also played more freely in this match. The star wearing the number 7 shirt not only continuously switched positions but also actively created assists for his teammates, just like Barca's Messi. This important change seemed to help CR7 unleash his full potential, playing at the level of one of the best players in the world.

In the 18th and 70th minutes, Ronaldo was on hand to meet Bale's cross, finishing with ease and sending the ball into the Shakhtar goal. In between were some team-spirited performances, including a well-placed pass to Modric in the 50th minute and the move that led to Carvajal's goal. After the match, Goal.com gave Ronaldo an 8 - the highest rating of any player on the pitch.

Modric scored from Ronaldo's pass.

In terms of form, Bale also deserves praise. The striker transformed when he was moved to the left wing, where he could create sprints that completely defeated the opposition defense. Both of Ronaldo's goals came from such sprints, reminiscent of the sprint that Bale finished himself in the 2014 King's Cup final (won 2-1 by Barca).

In Real's comeback, fans still have something to worry about when looking at the defense. After conceding four goals against Barca, Benitez's team continued to disappoint in this match when they had to pick the ball out of the net three more times. Alex Teixeira and Dentinho scored from easy situations in the penalty area, raising a big question about the "white vultures"'s defensive ability. Notably, all three goals conceded came from Real's right wing, where Benitez is trying to rotate both Carvajal and Danilo but has not yet chosen a satisfactory player.

With the Champions League group stage now complete, Real can now focus on La Liga until early next year. This weekend, Benitez's men will have a more important away trip to Eibar, who are currently sixth in the table.

Kovacic (white shirt) entered the starting lineup for Real.

According to VNE