Reigning Champion Real Madrid hung on to a nervy 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in a Group F encounter to retain the top spot.
The result keeps the Champions top of Group F on nine points with three wins from three matches, while Shakhtar is in second well of the leaders’ pace at four points.
The hosts took a deserved lead before 15 minutes when the ball fell kindly to Rodrygo just outside the penalty area and shot past Shakhtar keeper Anatolii Trubin to stake Madrid to a 1-0 advantage.
The LaLiga holders looked to be well on their way to a straightforward win when Vinicius Junior doubled their lead from a Rodrygo assist in the 28th minute, but Shakhtar hit back before the half through Oleksandr Zubkov to make it 2-1 at the break.
Madrid controlled possession for much of the second half. Still, the visiting Ukrainian side was dangerous situationally through set pieces and on the counter-attack forcing Carlo Ancelotti’s side to battle to the end for their three points.
Real Madrid had 36 shots against Shakhtar Donetsk this evening, with 14 on target. Since 2003-04, they’ve only attempted more shots in one UEFA Champions League match – 37 against Roma in March 2016.
Next up for the Los Blancos is Shakhtar Donetsk, but time away from home in Poland.
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