( CNN ) Three games without scoring constituted a slump for Cristiano Ronaldo . But the drought is now over for the three-time world player of the year . Ronaldo netted the opener and assisted on Marcelo 's thunderbolt as Real Madrid moved closer to a place in the quarterfinals of the Champions League by defeating Schalke 2-0 in Germany on Wednesday . The result could n't match Real 's 6-1 thrashing of Schalke in the first leg in the same round last year but the home side still faces an uphill task of eliminating the defending champion . `` It was good , '' Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti told Sky Sports . `` I think we started well with a good rhythm in the game and a good attitude and then after the first goal the game was easier . `` We did n't need to push to score and we controlled the game well . At the end the victory was good for us . '' Real Madrid -- bidding to become the first club to retain the title in the Champions League era -- won for a 10th straight time in the competition to equal Bayern Munich 's record , although the early stages of the contest favored Schalke . Indeed in the battle of Italian coaches who have lifted the Champions League trophy , Roberto di Matteo and his team bettered Ancelotti 's troops for the first 25 minutes . Schalke neutralized the attacking trio of Ronaldo , Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema , with Iker Casillas forced to dive to keep out Klaas-Jan Huntelaar 's long range effort . Real Madrid took the lead in the 26th minute when Ronaldo headed Daniel Carvajal 's cross past an out of position Timon Wellenreuther -- and was never really troubled thereafter . Buoyed by his goal , Ronaldo attempted a bicycle kick moments later and then saw the inexperienced Wellenreuther soar to his right to repel his free kick . A vital interception from the 19-year-old Wellenreuther foiled Bale 's bid to set up Ronaldo . `` It is clear that Cristiano Ronaldo lives to score goals , '' Ancelotti was quoted as saying by UEFA . `` It 's never a problem for us when he does n't score for a couple of games . But he , of course , minds . '' Not one to sit back and protect a lead , Real Madrid continued to race forward in the second half . A poor touch from Ronaldo near the box prevented a chance but Isco should have done better when Bale 's clever flick sent the Spanish international in all alone in the 72nd minute . Having barely tested Casillas , Schalke caught the Real Madrid defense napping in the 74th minute and almost equalized . A long ball over the top found its way to Atsuto Uchida , whose layoff fell perfectly to Felix Platte . Platte -- in for the injured Huntelaar -- struck the crossbar . Marcelo settled the affair -- and probably the tie -- when he sent a rocket into the top corner with his right foot , not his favored left , in the 79th minute . He exchanged a hug with a joyous Ancelotti . `` We are not used to seeing Marcelo score with the right foot , so for this I was really surprised , '' Ancelotti told Sky . Ancelotti then laughed when it was suggested to him that Real Madrid was under less pressure in the Champions League this season because it captured a 10th title -- or 'Decima ' -- last year . `` The pressure is the same , '' he said . `` Last year we spoke of the 'Decima . ' This year it 's about ( an 11th title ) so the pressure is the same . '' In Wednesday 's other game , Basel and Porto played to a 1-1 draw in Switzerland . Basel scored with its lone shot on target in the 11th minute thanks to Derlis Gonzalez but Porto -- which had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half -- earned a valuable away goal through Danilo 's penalty in the 79th .
Real Madrid defeats Schalke 2-0 in the Champions League . Ronaldo and Marcelo score for Los Blancos . - Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo scores a hat-trick as they beat Bayer Leverkusen 3-1 at home to move within one point of leaders Bayern Munich. Basel and Porto drew 1-1 in the other game Wednesday .