Shakhtar Donetsk 0-5 Real Madrid: Vinicius shines as Real cruise

Vinicius Junior scored twice as Real Madrid got their Champions League campaign back on track with a commanding 5-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Having suffered a shock defeat by Sheriff last time out in Group D, Carlo Ancelotti's men endured no such difficulties at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.

Sergey Krivtsov's own goal got the ball rolling for the visitors seven minutes before half-time, while Vinicius' quickfire double put them in control after the break.

Further strikes from Rodrygo and Karim Benzema completed the rout as coach Ancelotti claimed his fifth straight victory over Donetsk in this competition.

Despite a bright start at the scene of their 2018 Champions League final triumph over Liverpool, Madrid had a scare in the 23rd minute.

Indeed, Ferland Mendy was forced to clear Ismaily's dangerous cross with Mateus Tete lurking for a tap-in.

But it was the 13-time European champions who hit the front in extremely fortuitous circumstances after 37 minutes, as Lucas Vazquez's hopeful ball towards Benzema was sliced beyond his own goalkeeper by skipper Krivtsov.

Benzema was involved again as Madrid doubled their lead within six minutes of the start of the second half. After Donetsk were caught in possession from a throw-in, the skipper found Luka Modric, whose perfectly weighted first-time ball was delicately finished by Vinicius.

The Brazilian grabbed his second in emphatic fashion just five minutes later.

Receiving the ball from Benzema on the left flank, he embarked on a jinking run into the heart of the hosts' defence before sweeping the ball past Anatolii Trubin.

Vinicius then turned provider in the 65th minute, demonstrating tremendous vision to cut the ball back for Rodrygo to thump into the roof of the net. Benzema completed the scoring with a neat finish in the dying moments of the contest.

What does it mean? Madrid back on track

After defeats in their last two matches before the international break, Ancelotti’s side got back to winning ways in a convincing manner.

Los Blancos remain second in Group D, behind leaders Sheriff. Meanwhile, Shakhtar are still seeking their first goal and win of this season's Champions League.

A magnificent seven for Vinicius

The Brazilian produced an inspired performance at the Olympic Stadium with two goals from three shots on target and four key passes, including an assist.

The 21-year-old now has seven goals for the season in all competitions. That is his best tally during a single campaign for Madrid since he arrived from Flamengo in 2018.

Solomon struggles

Solomon was aiming to become the first player since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to score in three consecutive Champions League appearances against Real Madrid.

Indeed, the Donetsk winger had been on target in both matches as his side did the double over the 13-time European champions last season.

However, he could not make a similar impact and was substituted at half-time having only completed 18 passes and lost possession on seven occasions.

Key Opta facts

- Real Madrid have won both of their opening two away Champions League games for the first time since the 2014-15 campaign.
- This was Real Madrid's biggest away win in the Champions League since November 2018, when they beat Viktoria Plzen 5-0.
- Shakhtar Donetsk have failed to score in seven of their last eight Champions League matches, including each of the last four in a row.
- Vinícius Junior scored (2) and assisted (1) in the same Champions League match for the first time in his career. This was his 24th appearance.
- Rodrygo is averaging a goal or assist once every 71 minutes on average in his Champions League career for Madrid, scoring seven and assisting four times in 776 minutes of play.
- Marcelo became the seventh player to make 100 Champions League appearances for Madrid, with no other side having more players reach the milestone than Los Blancos (Barcelona also seven).

What’s next?

Madrid face Barcelona at Camp Nou in El Clasico on Sunday – the day after Donetsk travel to Vorskla in the Ukrainian Premier League.