Ronaldo ends his goal drought as Real power towards last eight
REIGNING champions Read Madrid took a giant stride towards the Champions League quarter-finals after defeating Schalke 2-0 in the first leg of their last-16 tie in Gelsenkirchen last night.
Forward Cristiano Ronaldo had failed to score in his previous three matches but gave Read the lead by heading home Dani Carvajal’s cross in the 26th minute.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side ensured a healthy lead for the second leg in Madrid on 10 March when full-back Marcelo fired into the top corner 11 minutes from time, moments after Schalke substitute Felix Platte had rattled the crossbar.
FC Basel and Porto, meanwhile, will head into their second leg all square after playing out a 1-1 draw in Switzerland.
English referee Mark Clattenburg awarded Porto a late penalty after penalising centre-half Walter Samuel for handling Danilo’s cross, which the Brazilian full-back successfully converted.
Paraguay forward Derlis Gonzalez had given the hosts an early lead, while Clattenburg booked a total of nine players and controversially chalked off a strike from Porto midfielder Casemiro.