Real Madrid took a step forward in the hopes of clinching the Champions League title by crushing Viktoria Plzen 5-0. Karim Benzema scored twice as Casemiro, Bale and Kroos also registered their names on the scoresheet. Madrid will now qualify with a win against Roma, and they are now on top of the group.
Gabriel Jesus scored thrice as Manchester City routed Shakhtar Donetsk 6-0. It also involved one controversial penalty, that a competition of this level had to witness. Had the decision been taken by VAR, it would have been overturned without a moment’s assessment. However, City were deserving winners. Sterling, Mahrez, Silva each contributed one goal whereas Jesus netted two penalties and a late injury time goal. But the indignity that Shakhtar faced on the 24th minute of the match was uncalled for. Replays clearly showed that Sterling had his stud stuck in the turf without Matviyenko touching him.
