March 5, Bernabéu Stadium.
In the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16, Real Madrid hosted Shakhtar Donetsk.
After drawing 2–2 away, Real Madrid returned to the Bernabéu with its strongest attacking lineup.
Diego López was in goal, with Marcelo, Vermaelen, Ramos, and Carvajal across the back; David Silva, Mascherano, and Xabi Alonso in midfield; and Hazard, Yang Yang, and Robben up front.
From the opening whistle, Real Madrid quickly seized control, launching wave after wave of attacks at Shakhtar Donetsk. But the Ukrainian side was determined to play on the counter, retreating completely into defense.
As the team's leading attacking star, Yang Yang was extremely active. In the tenth minute, he received a precise through ball from David Silva and unleashed a powerful shot inside the box, but the goalkeeper blocked it with his body.
Xabi Alonso then threatened the opposing goal with a long-range shot, while Yang Yang produced another brilliant run from midfield with the ball.
Throughout the opening phase, Shakhtar Donetsk was completely pinned back by Real Madrid. Forget counterattacking—even its defense was riddled with gaps.
It was not until the thirty-first minute that Robben won a corner on the right. Xabi Alonso took it, and Ramos headed home from close range to break the deadlock for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid's attacks did not let up after that. Its morale soared, and it played even better, while Shakhtar Donetsk grew desperate to equalize and repeatedly tried to build attacks, giving Real Madrid an opening.
Five minutes later, Real Madrid launched a quick counterattack. Yang Yang drifted to the right to receive the ball and drove forward before crossing from the right side of the box. David Silva arrived in the center and fired a first-time shot into the net.
2–0!
Real Madrid continued creating