Real Madrid survive despite losing seven-goal thriller to Schalke

Real Madrid's mini crisis continued as they limped into the last eight of the Champions League after a rollercoaster 4-3 defeat at home to Schalke.

Los Blancos have faced some negative press for their performances of late and they were greeted by boos and white handkerchiefs at the whistle as they held off Roberto Di Matteo's plucky side to prevail 5-4 on aggregate.

Carlo Ancelotti's men came into the encounter boasting a 2-0 lead from the first match in Germany, but twice found themselves behind in the first period as Christian Fuchs and former Real striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar stunned the home crowd.

But Di Knappen's hopes of pulling off one of the shocks of recent memory were dented by Cristiano Ronaldo, who came to his side's aid with two clinical headers to take his tally for the season to 41 in all competitions - and saw him set a new record of goalscoring in European competition with 78 goals.

It was hard on Schalke whose first-half showing should have seen them ahead at the interval - and, but for the woodwork, they would have been as Huntelaar was unlucky to see a rasping 25-yard strike ping back off the frame of Iker Casillas' goal.

Early in the second half, Karim Benzema's 20th goal of the season gave Real more breathing space and looked to have settled the home side's nerves.

But Schalke never gave up and after substitute Leroy Sane curled in a wonderful equaliser, Huntelaar smashed in his second of the game five minutes from time to set up a barnstorming finale - with Casillas making two superb saves.

Ultimately, Real edged through but, aside from Luka Modric's return from long-term injury, there were few positives to take just 12 days prior to their La Liga showdown with Barcelona.

PRE-MATCH: Modric returns on the bench. Real are boosted by the return of Luka Modric who is named amongst the substitutes. The Croatia playmaker has not featured since November due to a thigh problem. Ancelotti opts for BBC in attack while Alvaro Arbeloa, Sami Khedira and Fabio Coentrao also get run outs. Schalke had concerns over some of their key men leading into this one, but name Benedikt Hoewedes and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in their side despite the pair picking up knocks in Saturday's 3-1 Bundesliga win at home to Hoffenheim. Forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and midfielder Marco Hoeger are also passed fit. Kevin Prince-Boateng is missing through suspension.

20' - GOAL! REAL MADRID 0-1 SCHALKE. Game on? Schalke deservedly take the lead as a ball from the right finds its way all the way to Christian Fuchs on the left of the area, and he beats Casillas with a low shot in at the near post. (Real lead 2-1 on agg).

25' - GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-1 SCHALKE. Real Madrid are level and it's that man Ronaldo, who leaps majestically to power home a right-wing corner. It's out of the blue, but the hosts won't care. (Real lead 3-1 on agg).

40' - OFF THE POST! Huntelaar crashes a shot against the bar from distance after a lovely knockdown had set him up. So unlucky from the Dutch hitman.

41' - GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-2 SCHALKE. Di Knappen lead again! Huntelaar does get his goal as he follows up the rebound to crash into the roof of the net after Casillas had woefully parried into his path. (Real lead 3-2 on agg).

45' - GOAL! REAL MADRID 2-2 SCHALKE. Real are level again - and it is that man once more! Ronaldo races to the far post to swoop in and nod home Coentrao's inviting left-wing cross. What would they do without him? (Real lead 4-2 on agg).

53' - GOAL! REAL MADRID 3-2 SCHALKE. Benzema puts Real Madrid in front and surely ends Schalke's hopes. The Frenchman races onto a lucky break from Coentrao's prod forward, surges past a couple of defenders and fires home. A hint of offside, but the hosts don't care. Real lead 5-2 on agg.

57' - GOAL! REAL MADRID 3-3 SCHALKE. Incredible! It's 3-3 on the night and Leroy Sane takes the plaudits, curling a lovely finish beyond Casillas from the right edge of the area. (Real lead 5-3 on aggregate).

58' - MODRIC RETURNS - It's all happening here. Subs galore too. One of which is Modric who comes on to make his first appearance since November. He replaces Khedira.

85' - GOAL! REAL MADRID 3-4 SCHALKE. Sensational! Schalke lead 4-3 at the Bernabeu! Huntelaar breaks free of the defence and unleashes a stunning shot in off the bar. Surely they can't can they? (Real lead 5-4 on agg)

88' - CLOSE! Sane shoots again... great save Casillas. Real hanging on.

90' - CLOSER! Huntelaar knocks down for Howedes - but Casillas saves!

Iker Casillas and Cristiano Ronaldo played their 51st CL knockout match, equalling Xavi, Frank Lampard and Víctor Valdés with most appearances.

Real Madrid conceded for the first time in 553 minutes of Champions League action.

Ronaldo scored his 41st competitive goal for Real Madrid this season in what was only his 38th appearance

Ronaldo (41) & Messi (41) are the only two players on 40+ goals (all club comps) within the top 5 Euro Leagues this term.

Karim Benzema has now reached the 20 goal mark (all comps) for the fifth successive season at Real Madrid.

Real Madrid have scored in each of their last 22 Champions League games at the Bernabeu. The last time they failed to find the net at home was in April 2011 in a semi-final against Barcelona.

The four Champions League games between Real Madrid and Schalke have produced 20 goals in total.

Schalke's Leroy Sane is the youngest player ever (19y, 1month, 3 days) to score versus Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The game saw more shots on target than any other Champions League clash in 2014-15 (19).

For the second time in 117 matches (club and country) Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice, but lost (also vs Galatasaray in April 2013).

For only the second time ever Real Madrid concede four goals in a European HOME match (2-4 vs Bayern in Feb 2000).

Ronaldo has equalled Lionel Messi of scoring a record 20 CL braces.

Ronaldo surpassed Lionel Messi and Raúl on most goals in all European competitions with his 77th and 78th goals.

(Stats courtesy of Opta and Infostrada)

TALKING POINT. What's wrong with Real Madrid? The white hankies were out at the full time whistle with jeers from their own supporters a bizarre way to mark Real's progression into the last eight of the Champions League. But there definitely is something amiss at present. They have fallen off top spot in La Liga and could easily have conceded a fifth to Schalke that would have incomprehensively dumped them out. The return of Luka Modric could well help their cause, but they remain a shadow of the side who looked like sweeping past all before them in the early stages of the campaign.

Klaas Jan-Huntelaar (Schalke). The Dutch forward felt he never got a fair run at the Bernabeu and came close to leading his side to a sensational turnaround. Two goals and shot off the bar capped a determined all-round display, but sadly for him and Schalke, it wasn't quite enough in the end.

REAL MADRID: Casillas 5; Coentrao 5, Varane 5, Pepe 5, Arbeloa 5; Khedira 5, Kroos 5, Isco 6; Bale 5, Ronaldo 7, Benzema 7. Subs: Marcelo 6, Modric 7, Nacho 5.

SCHALKE: Wellenreuther 6; Howedes 6, Matip 6, Nastasic 6, Hoger 6; Neustadter 7, Fuchs 7, Barnetta 7, Meyer 7; Choupo-Moting 5, Huntelaar 8. Subs: Uchida 6, Sane 7, Goretzka 6.