Schalke 1-6 Real Madrid:
Gareth Bale was close to unplayable as Real Madrid all but sealed their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The £86million forward scored two and made two as Real ran riot against a poor Schalke side in Gelsenkirchen, winning 6-1 with ease.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti praised Bale's performance after the match, describing it as his 'best game of the season'.
The nine-time winners had only won once before in 25 trips to Germany but victory was never in doubt at the Veltins-Arena with Real's most potent attacking weapons coming to the fore.
Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo also scored twice as an insatiable Madrid left Schalke requiring a miracle at the Bernabeu in three weeks time despite Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scoring the goal of the night in time added-on.
Schalke won a corner in the first minute and nearly took the lead but captain Benedikt Howedes' header from distance drifted wide of Iker Casillas' right-hand post.
Surrounded: Real Madrid's Gareth Bale bursts into Schalke's box as the home side back off
Mind the gap: After finding some space, Bale shoots low and hard into the bottom corner to put his side 2-0 ahead
All smiles: Bale (left) celebrates his third Champions League goal for Madrid with Cristiano Ronaldo (right)
Familar sight: Bale does his trademark celebration after finding the net against the Bundesliga side
Nothing but net: Bale watches on as his shot nestles into the bottom corner for his second goal of the night
Team spirit: Bale celebrates his second goal with Karim Benzema (left) and Pepe (right)
MATCH FACTS
Too quick: Ronaldo uses his pace to get around Schalke keeper Ralf Fahrmann
Open goal: Ronaldo finishes into an empty net for the La Liga side's sixth goal of the evening
Passion: Ronaldo shouts with delight after scoring his second goal against Schalke late on
Real were building pressure and Ronaldo was clearly keen to get in on the goalscoring act as he brought down an Angel Di Maria pass and surged forward but his shot from the edge of the area came back off the post and safely into the arms of Ralf Fahrmann.
The visitors were now looking a threat every time they came forward and Ronaldo looked certain to score as he latched onto Di Maria's through-ball but Fahrmann did well to save with his feet.
Schalke were under fire as the break approached as first Benzema fired wide from Marcelo's cross and Fahrmann made another close-range save from Ronaldo but they made it to the interval without sustaining further damage.
On target: Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema (left) takes aim at Schalke's goal from inside the area
Back of the net: Benzema's effort evades Schalke keeper Fahrmann and finds the bottom corner
Delight: Benzema celebrates as his team-mates Sergio Ramos (left) and Angel Di Maria (right) run to join him
Mobbed: Benzema is congratulated by his team-mates after opening the scoring at the Veltins Arena
At the double: Benzema steals in to score his second goal of the night from a narrow angle
Magic feet: Cristiano Ronaldo (right) pulls off a trademark stepover to bamboozle Schalke's Joel Matip (left)
Under pressure: Schalke midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng (front) gets away from Di Maria
Colourful: Schalke fans hold their scarves aloft before kick off against Real
Heads up: Madrid defender Pepe (right) and Schalke star Julian Draxler (left) challenge for a header
Ronaldo was not to be outdone and had his brace in the 88th minute as substitute Isco and Benzema combined to release him and he calmly slotted past the keeper.There was still time for former Real striker Huntelaar to net a stunning consolation when he volleyed home from the edge of the area after Christian Fuchs' cross to see Casillas beaten for the first time in 10 appearances, but it is likely to be of little consequence.After the game Schalke captain Howedes said: ‘Cristiano Ronaldo was everywhere. We saw exactly why he’s the World Footballer of the Year.’
Frustrated figure: Ronaldo (right) reacts angrily after missing an opportunity to score
Double act: Real boss Carlo Ancelotti (left) and coach Zinedine Zidane (right) check out the pitch ahead of kick-off
Safe hands: Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas (left) pulls off a reflex save to keep out Draxler's close-range header
Famous foot: Bale whips in a cross from the left during the first half in Gelsenkirchen
Battle: Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso (right) is challenged by Schalke's Max Meyer (left)
Schalke boss Jens Keller was left to rue a series of mistakes by his side, including Draxler's missed header in the first half.
He said: ‘We knew that Real would use the space we would give them after they scored the opener and they simply punished us for every mistake we made. We are a young team who still have lots to learn at this level.
‘We had a good start, played bravely until we conceded the opener. A mistake allowed Real to score the opener but we immediately had the chance for the equaliser.
‘These types of chances don’t come along that often against a side like Real.
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