Karim Benzema was at the double as Real Madrid beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 to take another huge step towards qualification to the Champions League knockout stages. Elsewhere, Inter Milan swept aside minnows Sheriff thanks to three second-half goals.
Benzema scored his first in the 14th minute after some excellent pressing by Vinicius Jr, who stole the ball off Marlon inside the Shakhtar box, before laying it on a plate for the Frenchman to score.
However, the Ukrainian side equalized through Fernando in the 39th minute; the striker smashed a volley into the roof of Thibaut Courtois’ net from close range after being set up by Alan Patrick.
Benzema restored Real Madrid’s lead in the 61st minute, putting the finishing touches to a sweeping team move.
Vinicius, growing in importance for Real Madrid with each passing game, played a one-two with Casemiro – the latter setting up the former with a swiveling back-heel – before squaring it to Benzema for the goal.
Los Blancos held on to their slender advantage and are now up to nine points from four matches. Inter Milan trail the record Champions League winners by two points after their dominant win over minnows Sheriff Tiraspol. The Nerazzurri were made to work hard for their win by Sheriff, who held the Italian champions at bay for almost an hour.
Midfielder Marcelo Brozovic put Inter in front in the 54th minute. The Croat collected the ball on the edge of the box, prepared to take the shot from his left foot before cutting onto his right and finding the bottom corner.
Centre-back Milan Skriniar doubled Inter’s lead in the 65th minute; he hit the post with his header following a corner, hit the goalkeeper with his follow-up, before finally poking the ball into the net from close range.
Substitute Alexis Sanchez put the game to bed a minute after coming on, capitalizing on a defensive error before firing in from the right side of the box.
Adama Traore pulled a goal back for Sheriff in the first minute of stoppage time, but it proved to be mere consolation for the minnows, who trail Inter by a point in third place.
