But his teammates failed to get the message. Substitute Leroy Sané curled in and then former Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar sent paces racing with his second goal of the night six minutes from time.With nerves visibly pulsating through their team, Madrid avoided catastrophe, but this was a dramatic departure from the team that eviscerated Schalke 9-2 over two legs at the same stage of last season’s Champions League. Real Madrid survived a real scare to qualify for their fifth successive Champions League quarter-final despite conceding four away goals to an impressive Schalke.The holders were hanging on in the final few seconds as Schalke were just one goal away from producing one of the competition's biggest shocks after winning the second leg.Karim Benzema gave the hosts the advantage on the night after the break but goals from Leroy Sane and Huntelaar saw a below-par Real endure a nervous finale in a thrilling encounter.World Player of the Year Ronaldo became the Champions League's record scorer but, for once, the Portuguese was not the story as Bundesliga side Schalke threatened what was almost the unthinkable.Only Barcelona and Juventus have won by a two-goal margin in the Champions League at the Bernabeu in the last 10 years but Schalke were only denied just that by desperate late defending.Los Blancos ended a 12-year wait to capture 'La Decima' - But, despite fifth-placed Schalke being 23 points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, there was no sign of a repeat as they finished with a 4-3 second-leg win, a scoreline with 500-1 odds before kick-off.Real boss Carlo Ancelotti has been criticised by some supporters after four defeats since the turn of the year and losing And the hosts' recent frailties were being exposed by a slick-passing Schalke, who took a deserved lead when Fuchs fired home from inside the penalty area, after a dummy by Huntelaar.Ronaldo's headed leveller should have eased Real's nerves but the shock was still on as Schalke refused to let their hosts take any sort of control and regained the lead on the night through Huntelaar's close-range finish.Knowing one more goal without reply would see them qualify, Schalke were dealt a harsh blow just before the break as Ronaldo again headed the defending champions level.His two headers take his Champions League tally to 76 goals, one ahead of Barcelona's Lionel Messi, who plays in the last 16 against Manchester City next week.He has also scored 60 goals in his last 59 Champions League appearances and 41 goals in all competitions this season. Schalke, though, couldn’t avoid the match slipping into a lull for much of the second half.
Match report and highlights from the Champions League Round of 16 second leg between Real Madrid and Schalke Assisted by Max Meyer.Attempt blocked. Yet the champions escaped a hugely uncomfortable last few minutes to just about stay alive.
Real Madrid 3, FC Schalke 04 4. First, in the final minute of the opening half Ronaldo was allowed a free header from Fabio Coentrao’s cross, and then Benzema strode past two defenders in the box to finish coolly and put Madrid in front on the night for the first time.Before the hour mark, Sane’s impressive contribution off the bench was highlighted by a curling strike past an unmoved Casillas.
It was a goal that embodied Madrid’s failings, with the dangerous Max Meyer allowed to waltz through a cavernous hole in the hosts’ midfield, before Tranquillo Barnetta’s low cross was left to fall for Fuchs at the back post.
Yet even when Schalke’s bubble of optimism looked to have been well and truly burst by Karim Benzema’s goal early in the second half, the matter was not settled. Atsuto Uchida replaces Tranquillo Barnetta.Attempt saved. Highlights: Real Madrid 3-4 Schalke; Ronaldo breaks European record as Madrid qualify. If they are to again go all the way and lift the trophy, a sizable improvement on the insipid display offered up on Tuesday will be required. Leroy Sané (FC Schalke 04) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.