Shakhtar Donetsk 0-5 Real Madrid – Champions League: Vinicius Junior scores twice in big win
Real Madrid recover from Sheriff Tiraspol’s humiliation with a 5-0 beating from Shakhtar, as Vinicius Jnr scores twice in Ukraine to send Carlo Ancelotti’s side second in the squad
- Real Madrid produced five stars in their Shakhtar Donetsk win
- Shakhtar’s Serhiy Kryvtsov scored home side in the first half to put Madrid ahead
- Vinicius Junior scored a brace early in the second half to give Real a 3-0 lead
- Rodrygo scored a fourth for the Spanish giants ahead of Karim Benzema’s effort
- Latest Champions League news, including live action and results
Real Madrid were at their best Brazilian level in Kiev with Vinicius and Rodrygo destroying Shakhtar Donetsk.
Vini Junior has scored twice and Rodrygo once as Carlo Ancelotti’s side put their loss to Sheriff behind them with a 5-0 win that will give them a huge boost of confidence ahead of Sunday’s Clasico.
There were eight Brazilian players in Shakhtar Donetsk’s starting XI but it was their compatriots dressed in white who stole the show.
Vinicius Junior (left) was excellent for Real Madrid in their 5-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk

Vinicius scored his second of the night, and Real’s third, with that brilliant left-footed strike
Vinicius’ second goal was the choice of four. Two steps allowed him to pass Dodo, then a shoulder drop saw him swerve past Serhiy Kryvtsov and finally a high shot into the roof of the net beat Anatolii Trubin.
The home side had helped Real Madrid with the first two goals, but Vinicius needed no help for this brilliant third.
Madrid had suffered a frustrating first half with long range shots thrown from all angles at Trubin who held Madrid at bay until they were beaten by their own defender in the 37th minute.
Lucas Vazquez whipped up a cross from the right and with Karim Benzema breathing in his orange Shakhtar jersey, Kryvtsov tried to clear but hacked the ball past his own helpless keeper.
It wasn’t more than Madrid deserved after dominating the first half. Benzema led the charge with a shot right off in three minutes. A minute later, Toni Kroos had done better with a long shot that Trubin had to fend off. Vinicius also had an early hit and this one was repelled by Trubin as well.
Madrid were so eager to take the lead that Manor Soloman managed to slip behind their defense and Thibaut Courtois had to rush in and free themselves.

Shakhtar Donetsk’s Serhiy Kryvtsov (left) watches his permission inadvertently enter
Casemiro was the next to come close to Madrid winning a corner kick when his shot deflected aside. Trubin then had to repel a shot from Kroos. But just when it looked like he was taking a clean sheet in the tunnel at the break, Lucas’s cross was returned.
The second half started painfully for Casemiro when substitute Marcos Antonio tapped his ankle and was cautioned. He was soon celebrating with the rest of the squad as Madrid led 2-0 in the 51st minute.
Just like with Real Madrid’s first goal, Shakhtar helped them. They had the throw halfway into their own half, but Benzema nicked it while bouncing and crossed over to Modric whose skillful pass played into Vinicius. Dodo was playing him inside and he passed the ball over Trubin to double the advantage.
Vinicius got the third and in the 65th minute it was four when Rodrygo joined Vinicius on the scoresheet. Benzema – behind so much of Madrid’s best game – played the ball to Vinicius who brought it back to his compatriot and he scored high in the net.
Madrid still needed Courtois to keep the home side away. He saved Fernando and Marlos Romero well.

Rodrygo (left, pictured earlier in the game) scored Real’s fourth with an emphatic finish
All that was missing was a goal from Benzema and Rodrygo’s pass he only passed Trubin to save.
There’s no denying that he scored his goal in added time – that 10th goal in his last 11 games for club and country.
Kroos, Luka Modric and Rodrygo had all started with 10 minutes remaining with Fede Valverde, Marco Asensio and Eduardo Camavinga.
Carlo Ancelotti has options for his team selection this Sunday. He might want to stay with the eleven who started in Kiev, they gave him no reason to make any changes.

Karim Benzema (left) jumps for joy after scoring Real’s fifth in Ukraine on Tuesday
Relive all the Ukraine action as it happened plus the other European action – except Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid – with Sportsmail LUC AUGUSTUS.
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