Real Madrid hosted Shakhtar Donetsk at the Santiago Bernabeu tonight in yet another Champions League game and took a not-quite-comfortable 2-1 victory.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side were second in Group D before the game, tied on points with leaders Sheriff, two points behind Inter, third and five ahead of the last Shakhtar.

?? @Benzema ?? @vinijr ??#UCL pic.twitter.com/CxYfqIhiJF

– Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) November 3, 2021

Madrid entered the game full of confidence after beating Shakhtar 5-0 in Ukraine earlier this month and got off to a good start. They controlled most of the game at the start, while remaining cautious of the Shakhtar threat at the break.

The hosts took the lead in the 14th minute. Vinicius won the ball after putting pressure on the visiting defense before squaring it for the return of Karim Benzema, who finished calmly to score the club’s 1,000th Champions League goal.

PF: @Real Madrid 2-1 @FCShakhtar
?? @Benzema 14 ‘, 61’; Fernando 39 ‘#UCL | #Emirates pic.twitter.com/CGSDfZpenZ

– Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) November 3, 2021

Shakhtar tied for six minutes before halftime. A smart, bloated ball from the midfielder was controlled and knocked down by Alan Patrick, before compatriot Brazil Fernando landed a shot that beat Thibaut Courtois in the Madrid goal.

The Ukrainians continued to impress early in the second half, but Benzema scored his second goal to regain Madrid’s advantage on time. A skillful attacking move ended with Vinicius playing the Frenchman again to bring the score to 2-1 and win the game.