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Real Madrid survived a stunning fightback by Shakhtar Donetsk to edge victory and finish top of Group A in the Champions League.

Cristiano Ronaldo's two goals, Luka Modric's powerful drive and Dani Carvajal's neat finish put Real in control with 15 minutes to go.

However, Alex Teixeira pulled one back from the penalty spot for Shakhtar, before Dentinho headed in a second.

Teixeira's low finish set up a tense finish, but Real held on.

The goals were the first Rafael Benitez's side had conceded in this season's Champions League and took the shine off what had looked like being a good response to the 4-0 defeat by Barcelona at the weekend.

Gareth Bale was one of only four players who remained from the team that lost El Clasico, along with Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Modric.

The Wales international rewarded Benitez's faith in him with an impressive performance, setting up both of Ronaldo's goals.

Both assists came as a result of good persistence. Bale first got to a ball on the left ahead of Shakhtar's goalkeeper to cross for Ronaldo to head home, before later capitalising on an error to race away and square a pass for his Portuguese team-mate to finish at the second attempt.

Nine teams are through to the last 16, with 13 clubs still in contention for the seven remaining places going into the final round of the group stage.

Group A: Real Madrid progress as group winners, with Paris St-Germain taking second place.

Group B: No-one is definitely through, with Wolfsburg, Manchester United and PSV Eindhoven fighting it out for the two places.

Group C: Atletico Madrid and Benfica are assured of their place in the last 16, with just first place to be decided.

Group D: Juventus and Manchester City are both into the last 16. Top spot is still to be decided.

Group E: Barcelona progress as group winners with one of Roma, Bayer Leverkusen and BATE Borisov hoping to join them in the knockout stage.

Group F: Bayern Munich are assured of top spot and either Olympiakos or Arsenal will join them.

Group G: Two from Chelsea, Porto and Dynamo Kiev will progress to the last 16.

Group H: Zenit St-Petersburg are through as group winners and one of Gent or Valencia will join them.