Real Madrid booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday, despite losing 4-3 at home to Schalke 04 in the second leg of their last-16 clash.
Schalke led three times at the Bernabeu, including late on through the second of Klass Jan-Huntelaar's strikes, but the German outfit could not find another as Real Madrid went through 5-3 on aggregate.
Christian Fuchs and Leroy Sane were also on the scoresheet for the visitors, while goals from Cristiano Ronaldo (2) and Karim Benzema helped Real Madrid just squeeze into the knockout stages.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at how each individual player performed during the European clash.
© Getty Images
REAL MADRID
Goal
Iker Casillas: Should have done better with three of Schalke's four goals, but in fairness to the stopper, he made some smart saves late on and was strong from crosses. Hit-and-miss night. (6/10)
Defence
Alvaro Arbeloa: Had an absolute stinker in Madrid. Was at fault for each of Schalke's first two goals and did not look comfortable until being replaced late on. Really struggled. (3/10)
Pepe: Probably just about the best of Real Madrid's back four, but that is not saying a lot. Made some crucial clearances late on, but had some nervy moments in the first period. (5/10)
Raphael Varane: Almost cost his team with a terrible back-pass in the first period on what was a nervous evening for the Frenchman. Was pulled out of position on a number of occasions. (5/10)
Fabio Coentrao: A surprise starter ahead of Marcelo, the Portuguese looked like a player that has been on the sidelines for some time. Poor defensively, but did set up Ronaldo for his second. (5/10)
Midfield
Sami Khedira: Looks likely to leave Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer, but not too many clubs would have been impressed with this performance. The match simply passed him by. (4/10)
Isco: Showed bits and pieces in the final third, especially in the second period, but the Spaniard, like a number of his teammates, is going through a tough time at the moment. (6/10)
Toni Kroos: Stung the palms of the Schalke goalkeeper late on, but did not have too much control in the middle of the park. Looks to be suffering with fatigue at this stage of the season. (5/10)
Attack
Gareth Bale: Just does not seem to be happening for the Welshman at the moment as another match passed him by. Had some bright moments, but nowhere near enough. (5/10)
Karim Benzema: Scored his side's third of the night with a calm finish early in the second period, but did little else. Lost possession on a number of occasions in the final third. (6/10)
Cristiano Ronaldo: Almost single-handedly saved his team once again. Scored two excellent headers at vital times during the match and always looked a threat in the final third. (8/10)
Substitutes
Luka Modric: Made his long-awaited comeback just before the hour and brought an instant calmness to the midfield. Will be a key player from now until the end of the season. (6/10)
Marcelo: Entered the match alongside Modric after 58 minutes, but the Brazilian was caught out by Huntelaar for the Dutchman's second. Was a surprise that the Brazilian did not start. (5/10)
Nacho: Replaced Arbeloa after 83 minutes and less than 60 seconds later, Schalke found the back of the net. Was a strange substitution from Carlo Ancelotti despite Arbeloa's struggles. (5/10)
© Getty Images
SCHALKE
Goal
Timon Wellenreuther: Beaten three times, but could not do much with any of the goals. Made some smart saves in the second period and like Casillas, was impressive from crosses. (6/10)
Defence
Benedikt Howedes: Made a couple or poor errors in the first period and missed an excellent chance to win the tie for Schalke late on. Not one of his side's best performers on the night. (5/10)
Joel Matip: Was passed fit in the days leading up to the match and the centre-back had a decent night in Madrid. A couple of nervy moments, but helped frustrate Benzema and Bale. (6/10)
Matija Nastasic: On-loan Manchester City defender was neat and tidy in possession of the ball, but went walkabouts for Ronaldo's second of the match. (5/10)
Midfield
Christian Fuchs: Had a good night in the wing-back role. Scored his side's first of the night and proved a threat on a number of occasions. Crossing, though, might have been a little better. (7/10)
Roman Neustadter: Could not find the back of the net despite a number of long-range attempts, but the midfielder was very busy throughout the 90 minutes. Helped Schalke win the midfield battle. (7/10)
Marco Hoger: Not as involved as the players around him, but the 25-year-old certainly played his part before being replaced just before the hour mark. (6/10)
Tranquillo Barnetta: Set up his side's first of the night with a dangerous cross and proved a threat in wide areas. Did not provide too much protection to his back four, though. (7/10)
Attack
Max Meyer: Brought into the team following his two goals at the weekend and the German was very impressive. Directly involved in Schalke's second and proved a real thorn in Real Madrid's side. (8/10)
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar: Would have enjoyed his return to the Bernabeu. Scored two very different, but equally-impressive goals. Terrorised the Real Madrid defence for long spells. (9/10)
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting: Looked bright in the early moments as he fired one just wide of Casillas's post, but an injury forced the attacker from the field after just 29 minutes. (6/10)
Substitutes
Leroy Sane: Brought on after 29 minutes for his European debut and had a night to remember. Scored his side's third with an excellent finish and proved a real danger in the final third. (8/10)
Leon Goretzka: Replaced Hoger just before the hour mark and the 20-year-old did well to pick up the pace of the match. Easy to see why he is already a full German international. (6/10)
Atsuto Uchida: Was thrown on for the final 10 minutes and his pace unnerved the Real Madrid defence. (6/10)
Matt Law
