Karim Benzema struck Real Madrid's 1,000th and then 1,001st goal in the Champions Cup/League on Tuesday but his double also secured a vital 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
The brace from the Frenchman has kept the record winners of Europe's elite competition top of Group D on nine points before Moldovan underdogs Sheriff (six) host Inter Milan (four) later.
Shakhtar, bottom on one, are staring at the exit despite Fernando striking a fine equalizer five minutes before the break.
Benzema had opened the scoring in the 14th minute after Vinicius Junior pounced on a defensive error and the young Brazilian also set up the winner just after the hour having combined with compatriot Casemiro.
"It was a tough game against a good team who played well," said Real captain Benzema, who has four goals in four Champions League games this season.
"We suffer together and we win together. We maybe weren't at our best, but we got the job done."
Liverpool - Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid's Kieran Trippier (R) appears to foul Liverpool's Diogo Jota but nothing given. Photo: Peter Byrne/dpa.
In the Liverpool-Atlético de Madrid match, played at Anfield, the rojiblancos were overwhelmed by the English (2-0).
First-half goals from Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane gave Liverpool a 2-0 win over Atlético Madrid and a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
The seven-time champions Liverpool repeated their lightning start from the reverse game in Madrid with Trent Alexander-Arnold crossing for Jota in 13 minutes and then repeating the trick for Mane in the 21st.
"The game was nearly perfect, like we wanted to have it: we scored the goals at the right moments," said Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp.
Atletico de Madrid continues to depend on themselves to advance to the round of 16.
