London:
Cristiano Ronaldo's sublime performance helped defending champions Real Madrid trounce Schalke 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday in Gelsenkirchen.
Ronaldo put Real ahead in the 26th minute to score his 58th goal in the 58th appearance in the competition, the BBC reported.
Subsequently, defender Marcelo doubled the lead in the 79th minute as he netted a right footed shot to the top right corner following a well-worked pass by Ronaldo.
Real will again meet Schalke in the Champions League second leg at Bernabeu on 10 March.
