Cristiano Ronaldo ended a rare three-game scoring drought with the first goal in Real Madrid’s record-equalling 10th successive Champions League victory on Wednesday, beating Schalke 2-0 in Germany.
The holders, whose other goal came through Brazilian Marcelo in the second-half, will be expected to ease through to the quarter-finals when they Schalke in the second leg next month.
Real’s victory equalled Bayern Munich’s record for consecutive victories, set in 2013.
Schalke at least avoided a hammering; Real defeated them 6-1 at this stage a year ago.
“It’s clear that Cristiano Ronaldo lives to score goals,” said Real coach Carlo Ancelotti.
“It’s not a problem for us if he doesn’t score for a game or two but it’s obvious that the goal did him good.
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“It wasn’t only a goal for the statistics. It was an important goal – the lead goal. At a key stage of the season it was important to win and I think we’re on the right track.”
Honours were even in the night’s other game, where the Swiss side Basel were held 1-1 by the visiting Portuguese side Porto, who won the competition in 2004.
Basel coach Paulo Sousa said: “I am really happy with this result as it was a very difficult match. With this result it still gives us every chance in Porto.”
Basel have never reached the quarter-finals of the European championship in its current form.
Ronaldo ended his drought with a neatly taken header in the 27th minute to move him closer to both the overall goals record in all European competitions and the Champions League.
Schalke suffered a further blow when their talented forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, formerly of Real Madrid, had to go off with a leg injury shortly after the half-hour mark.
The German side, though, did not collapse as they did against the same opponents last year and had chances of their own, principally through Felix Platte, whose fierce drive beat Iker Casillas but came back off the crossbar.
Real doubled their lead as Marcelo struck with a fine effort after being set up by Ronaldo.
Schalke coach Roberto di Matteo conceded that the difference in class between the two teams had told.
“The quality made all the difference,” said Di Matteo, who guided Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2012.
“Real had three chances and took two of them. Perhaps if our shot had not hit the bar and gone in things would have been different.”
Basel made a fine start as Paraguayan striker Derlis Gonzalez did well to stroke the ball into the Porto goal despite being off-balance.
He, however, had to go off feeling dizzy after a clash with the opposing goalkeeper.
“We don’t know exactly what happened but it was as if he had been knocked out,” Sousa said. “He didn’t feel good at all and he certainly couldn’t play on.”
The visitors, who enjoyed an unbeaten group-stage campaign, had two goals ruled out for infringements.
The second decision seemed harsh as Casemiro shot home through a crowd of players. However, English referee Mark Clattenburg, who booked nine players in the game, ruled it out after a long consultation with his assistants.
The visitors got an equaliser from the penalty spot, Danilo converting after 36-year-old Argentinian defender Walter Samuel was penalised for handling the ball.
Porto coach Julen Lopetegui said a defeat would have been disappointing.
“Basel were very good on the counter-attack in the first-half,” the Spaniard said. “We dominated after the goal but it was difficult for us.
“The goal that was ruled out early in the second-half surprised me a lot and it took four minutes to take the decision.
“However, overall it was a very good performance by us.”
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