GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany — Cristiano Ronaldo was all smiles when he left the pitch following Real Madrid's 2-0 Champions League round of 16 first leg win at Schalke 04 Wednesday, safe in the knowledge that his goal-scoring form was back. That ended a rare three-game goalscoring drought for Ronaldo. The holder — whose other goal came through Brazilian Marcelo in the second-half — will fancy its chances of easing through to the quarterfinals when they meet in the second leg next month.
Real's victory — which fortunately for the host did not come near the 6-1 hammering it took in last season's last 16 first leg encounter in Germany — equaled Bayern Munich's record which was set back in December 2013. “He scored, he played well and gave an assist. Cristiano is back,” a relieved Real coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.
Honors were even in the night's other game where the Swiss side Basel — which has never reached the last eight of the Champions League in its present format — was held 1-1 by Portuguese side Porto, which won the competition in 2004.
Basel coach Paulo Sousa was delighted with his side's performance. Ronaldo ended his drought with a neatly-taken header in the 27th minute to edge him closer to both the overall goals record in all European competition and the Champions League.
Schalke suffered a further blow when its talented former Real forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar had to go off with a leg injury shortly after the half hour mark.
The German side, though, didn't fold like it did against the same opponent last year and had chances of its own principally through Felix Platee, whose fierce drive beat Iker Casillas but came back off the crossbar.
Cruelly for Schalke Real doubled its lead as Marcelo struck with a fine effort after being set up by Ronaldo. Schalke coach Roberto di Matteo conceded that the difference in class between the two teams had told.
Basel had got off to the dream start as Paraguayan striker Derlis Gonzalez did superbly well to stroke the ball into the Porto goal despite being off-balance.
He, however, had to go off feeling dizzy after a clash with the opposing goalkeeper.
The visitors — who enjoyed an impressive group stage campaign — had two goals ruled out for infringements with the second one quite harsh as Casemiro shot home through a crowd of players.
However, English referee Mark Clattenburg — who booked nine players in the game — ruled it out after a long consultation with his officials. The visitors, though, did get a deserved equalizer from the penalty spot — Danilo converting after veteran 36-year-old Argentinian defender Walter Samuel had been penalized for handball.
Porto coach Julen Lopetegui said that he would have been disappointed to have lost the encounter. — Agencies
