Cristiano Ronaldo back in business

Schalke 0 Real Madrid 2: Cristiano Ronaldo returned to goal scoring form and Marcelo was also on target as holders Real Madrid opened their Champions League last-16 tie with a 2-0 win at Schalke.

Ronaldo ended a rare drought of three games by heading Real ahead in the first half at the Veltins-Arena before Marcelo made victory safe with a fine second late on.

Schalke proved much tougher opposition than last year, when they were thrashed 6-1 at the same stage by the same opponents, and rattled the bar at 1-0 down through Felix Platte.

Timon Wellenreuther, a 19-year-old goalkeeper pressed into action due to injuries, also impressed but ultimately Roberto Di Matteo’s side could not deny Real a record-equalling 10th successive win in the competition.

Ronaldo’s goal means that he has now scored 58 goals in 58 Champions League appearances for Real.

SCHALKE 04: Wellenreuther, Uchida, Howedes, Matip, Nastasic, Aogo, Hoger (Meyer 80), Neustadter (Kirchhoff 57), Boateng, Choupo-Moting, Huntelaar (Platte 33).

REAL MADRID: Casillas, Carvajal (Arbeloa 82), Varane, Pepe, Marcelo, Lucas Silva, Kroos, Isco (Illarramendi 85), Bale, Benzema (Hernandez 78), Ronaldo.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (England).