Real Madrid gave Schalke a footballing lesson in Germany this season as they blew away their opponents with a 5-0 victory, giving them a superb cushion to take back to the Bernabeu for the second-leg. Karim Benzema opened the scoring after a well worked move before Gareth Bale doubled the Spaniards advantage with a brilliant individual effort. Ronaldo marked his return to the team with a goal six minutes after the restart, with Benzema getting his second of the night shortly afterwards. Bale then secured a brace of his own with an easy finish, while Ronaldo scored his second late on. Klass Jan Huntelaar scored a consolation goal in stoppage time with a brilliantly executed volley. Real Madrid opened the scoring in the twelfth minute with their first chance of the match. Gareth Bale linked up with Cristiano Ronaldo, who fed the ball through to Karim Benzema. The Frenchman executed his finish brilliantly, scoring his 19th goal of the season. Schalke thought they'd got themselves back into the match immediately. A cross from the right found Julian Draxler inside the six-yard box and the German ace connected with the ball, only to see Iker Casillas pull off a world class save. Nine minutes later Real doubled their lead. Benzema gave the ball to Bale, who superbly beat the defenders with some great skill before firing a shot that when in off the post. Ronaldo was now wanting in on the action and ten minutes after Bale's goal he almost got it. The Ballon D'or winner beat the last man before unleashing a shot that cannoned back off the left-hand post and into the arms of the grateful goalkeeper. Six minutes into the second-half the Portuguese man got his goal. Bale fed the ball through and Ronaldo beat the defender one-on-one before putting the ball into the far-side of the net. Five minutes later Real got their fourth. Benzema played a one-two with Ronaldo before poking home his second of the game and 20th of the season, as the Spanish giants all but ensured their place in the next round. Bale scored his second of the night in the 68th minute after Sergio Ramos played a perfect ball through to the Welshman who easily finished the move. Then, ate on in the game, Schalke poorly gave the ball away and Ronaldo pounced, rounding the keeper to get his second of the night and sink Schalke even further. However, there was still time for the hosts to pull one back as Klaas Jan Huntelaar found the net against his former side with a perfectly executed volley in added time, giving a reward to the home faithful who had been fantastic throughout despite the scoreline.