Champions League

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Champions League | Round-Of-16

Mar 10, 2015 at 7.45pm UK

Real Madrid
3-4
Schalke Schalke 04

Ronaldo (25', 45'), Benzema (52')

FT(HT: 2-2)

Fuchs (20'), Huntelaar (40', 84'), Sane (57')

Real Madrid through despite second-leg defeat to Schalke 04

By Sian Cowper, Reporter | 10 March 2015

Defending champions Real Madrid are through to the Champions League quarter-finals with a 5-4 aggregate win over Schalke, who won the second leg 4-3.

Real Madrid have progressed to the quarter-finals in the Champions League with a 5-4 aggregate win over Schalke 04 after suffering a closely-contested 4-3 defeat in the second leg at the Bernabeu this evening.

Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (R) is congratulated by Fabio Coentrao (C) during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 match against Schalke on March 10, 2015 © Getty Images

The visitors had the first chance of the night as Max Meyer played the ball forward for Eric Choupo-Moting, but his finish was a fraction wide.

It was Schalke who broke the deadlock though, when Klaas-Jan Huntelaar flicked the ball in for Christian Fuchs to smash past Iker Casillas from close range with just under 20 minutes gone.

Schalke's Austrian defender Christian Fuchs (R) kicks and scores during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match against Real Madrid on March 10, 2015 © Getty Images

The defending European champions needed just five minutes to get back on level terms though as Toni Kroos delivered a corner, which Cristiano Ronaldo rose highest to head in.

The German side restored their lead before the break when Huntelaar headed the ball against the crossbar, before pouncing on the rebound moments later.

Schalke's Dutch forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (L) celebrates after scoring with Schalke's midfielder Max Meyer (R) during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match against Real Madrid on March 10, 2015 © Getty Images

However, Ronaldo found the back of the net with another header in stoppage time before the interval after Fabio Coentrao provided the cross for the Portugal international.

The La Liga side appeared to put the tie beyond doubt less than 10 minutes into the second half when Karim Benzema burst into the box, rounding the last defender before firing into the bottom corner.

Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema kicks and scores against Schalke during the Champions League match on March 10, 2015 © Getty Images

The scores were level again just four minutes later, as teenage midfielder Leroy Sane unleashed a curling effort from just outside the box, getting the better of Casillas.

Real pushed hard to add a fourth on the night, but Alvaro Arbeloa and Kroos both saw effort saved with a little over 20 minutes to go.

Gareth Bale attempted to head in from a Kroos corner after the German's effort had been tipped behind, but the Welshman's finish was a fraction high.

Bale was on the attack again a few minutes later, this time getting his shot on target as he looked for the top corner from 20 yards out, but the Schalke keeper watched it all the way to make the stop.

Isco had a chance to put the result beyond doubt with six minutes to go when he attempted a low effort, but it just curled away from the post.

The miss allowed Schalke to quickly head down the other end though, with Huntelaar weaving past a couple of defenders before squeezing the ball beneath the crossbar, scoring his second of the night against his former club.

Knowing that a fifth would put them through on away goals, Schalke continued to press, but Casillas stretched across to prevent Sane adding his second as the youngster let a shot fly from range.

Huntelaar charged forward again in stoppage time as the Bundesliga side pushed for an aggregate equaliser, pulling it back for Benedikt Howedes, but Casillas made a diving save to keep it out, ensuring that Real held on to reach the last eight.