Champions League 2015: Updated Outlook After Round of 16 Day 2

Real Madrid put themselves in a prime position to qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday as they beat Schalke 2-0 in Gelsenkirchen in their last-16 first leg.

The two away goals for Los Blancos see them incredibly comfortable ahead of the second leg on March 10 at the Bernabeu and heavy favourites to reach the last eight.

In contrast, Wednesday's other last-16 opening leg saw Basel draw 1-1 at home with Porto in a controversial clash which now lies in the balance.

Read on for an updated outlook for each side as they bid to make it through from the first knockout round of the 2015 Champions League.

Real Firmly in the Driving Seat

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Schalke made a decent account of themselves against the European champions on Wednesday but they have a mountain to climb if they are to qualify for the quarter-finals after the second leg in Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo breached the hosts' stout defence after 26 minutes with a header—adding to his staggering Champions League scoring record per Squawka—before Marcelo provided the hammer blow with a finely taken 79th-minute curling strike:

The Bundesliga outfit must now win by at least a two-goal margin at the Bernabeu in the return leg, something only Juventus and Barcelona have managed to do in the Champions League in the last 10 years, per BBC Sport. 

Having won their 10th European Cup last season, Real have not been beaten at home in the Champions League in 16 matches—since 2012, when they lost on penalties to Bayern Munich having won 2-1 in normal time to tie 3-3 on aggregate. 

Schalke skipper Benedikt Howedes believes his side were hard done by to lose by a two-goal margin on Wednesday, and they did indeed put in a decent performance, per the Champions League:

But such is Real's quality that they can punish opposition given half a chance. They are likely to carve out more than half a chance at the Bernabeu and will surely grab at least one goal on home soil.

That will leave Roberto Di Matteo's men needing to score three in Madrid against a side who have conceded just once at home in this season's tournament. Real look all but through to the quarters after the first leg.

Late Penalty Gives Porto Edge

A heated contest in Switzerland saw English referee Mark Clattenburg give a late penalty, disallow a Porto goal and issue nine yellow cards.

However, in the main, neither side could have any real complaints post-play, Casemiro's goal having been correctly ruled out after a long consultation, per UEFA's Ian Holyman, and Walter Samuel having handled the ball to concede Porto's penalty:

Derlis Gonzalez gave Basel a first-half lead after a wonderful first touch, but Danilo's equaliser from the spot in the 79th minute was well-deserved given the relative performances of both sides.

It was a huge blow for Basel to concede in Switzerland, though, as Porto's away goal gives them the edge in the second leg, with Paulo Sousa's men now needing at least two goals at the Dragao Stadium to qualify for the quarter-finals in normal time.

Porto have a decent home record in the Champions League this season having won twice—against BATE Borisov and Athletic—and drawn against Shakhtar Donetsk in the group stages.

Basel, on the other hand, have not won away in the Champions League since 2013, when they beat Chelsea 2-1, a result that would see them through to the last eight if they repeat the trick against Porto.

However, though Porto have the edge, the tie is very evenly balanced, and if Basel bag the opener in Portugal, it could be a very tense affair for all involved.