Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Real Madrid Winners and Losers from Champions League
Real Madrid survived a late Shakhtar Donetsk comeback to secure a 4-3 win in UEFA Champions League action, a result that means they will finish on top of Group A.
There was no sign of the late drama to come when Madrid eased into a 4-0 lead at Arena Lviv in Lviv, Ukraine.
Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed a brace of goals and also set up two more, putting the Spanish giants on course for a morale-boosting victory following Saturday's 4-0 mauling at the hands of Barcelona.
However, Madrid were forced to hold off a surging Shakhtar in the closing stages.
A pair of goals from Alex Teixeira—sandwiched in between an effort from substitute Dentinho—raised hopes the home side could produce the mother of all comebacks to claim a point.
But, in the end, they ran out of time, meaning Madrid are certain to end the round-robin stage above Paris Saint-Germain in the standings.
Here Bleacher Report picks out the winners and losers from a see-saw European contest.
Winner: Cristiano Ronaldo
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By his astonishing scoring standards, Cristiano Ronaldo was suffering a drought in front of goal.
Per ESPN Stats & Info on Twitter, his barren run stretched 362 minutes before he broke the deadlock by tapping home Gareth Bale's cross from close range.
Welshman Bale also set up Ronaldo's second, though the forward needed two bites at the cherry to beat Andriy Pyatov in the home net.
The former Manchester United player also set up goals for Luka Modric and Daniel Carvajal. According to OptaJose on Twitter, it was the first time he had recorded two assists in a single Champions League fixture.
Loser: Real Madrid's Defence
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With a four-goal lead and just 13 minutes remaining, Real Madrid were coasting to victory.
Even when they gave away a penalty that Alex Teixeira converted, it didn't seem like a big deal. Per Squawka Football, it was the first time they had conceded in the Champions League in 470 minutes of action.
But, after being so miserly at the back for the vast majority of their European campaign, the wheels suddenly came off in the closing minutes.
Dentinho was left unmarked at the far post to chest home a left-wing corner, then Teixeira's second of the night left Madrid hanging on.
It was hardly an ideal Champions League debut for Francisco Casilla, though the goalkeeper wasn't really to blame for any of Shakhtar's goals.
Winner: Mateo Kovacic
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Mateo Kovacic made the most of a rare chance to start in Real Madrid's midfield.
The Croatian—signed from Inter Milan in the summer transfer window—dovetailed nicely with Luka Modric and Casemiro, as James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos both started the game on the bench.
Journalist Lucas Navarrete expressed his surprise on Twitter at the starting lineup, "I always thought that Kovacic deserved more minutes during the last few games but him starting this match is surprising."
However, Kovacic seized his opportunity, giving manager Rafa Benitez with plenty to ponder ahead of Sunday's La Liga fixture away at Eibar.
Loser: Raphael Varane
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Perhaps Real Madrid can point to the loss of defender Raphael Varane for their late lapses at the back.
According to Goal.com, Varane—who was one of just four players to be retained in Madrid's starting XI from the weekend loss to Barcelona—suffered a hamstring injury in the first half.
The Frenchman's departure after 32 minutes forced manager Rafa Benitez—already without sidelined duo Sergio Ramos and Marcelo—into a reshuffle.
Nacho Fernandez shifted inside to join Pepe at the heart of the defence, with Danilo coming off the bench to take over from Nacho at left-back.
Winner: Alex Teixeira
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It may be cold in the Ukraine at this time of year, but Shakhtar Donetsk's Alex Teixeira is certainly hot right now.
According to WhoScored.com on Twitter, he has now scored 13 goals in his last 10 appearances for his club. That's an impressive record, and his form has apparently caught the attention of others.
Chelsea have been linked with the Brazilian. Simon Johnson of the Evening Standard reported that the Blues have been told they will need to pay £30 million to acquire the player.
Teixeira's price may now be higher after his double against Madrid.
His first came from the penalty spot before he then slotted home a shot from inside the area in the 88th minute to make it 4-3.
Losers: Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos
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Dropped from the starting XI after the 4-0 home loss to Barcelona, Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos were both summoned off the bench against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Midfielder Kroos replaced goalscorer Luka Modric just after the hour mark, while forward Benzema was sent on in the 72nd minute for Gareth Bale, who had just set up Real Madrid's fourth goal.
However, the substitutes didn't quite have the impact they would have hoped during their cameo appearances.
Kroos found himself forced into defensive duties as Madrid tried to hang on to their lead. Benzema, meanwhile, barely had a kick after his introduction.
