Rudiger’s last-gasp equalizer earns Madrid a point against Shakhtar Donetsk

Real Madrid earned a vital point against Shakhtar Donetsk in a thrilling Tuesday night encounter as Antonio Rudiger scored a 95rh minute goal to grab a point for Los Blancos.

A point was all that was needed for the visitors as they clinched the top spot in Group F, ushering them into the knockout stages of the competition.

Carlo Ancelotti made a wide range of changes to his starting eleven as Belgian star Eden Hazard, and Rodrygo led the attack, while Nacho Fernandez and Rudiger came in the heart of defense as Ukrainian international Andriy Lunin continued in goal.

The first half saw efforts from Karim Benzema, and Rodrygo saved by Anatolii Trubin as the visitors tried to assert their style of play, pegging the visitors in their half. However, the home side drew the first blood just after the resumption of the second half in the 46th minute as Oleksandr Zubkov headed past Lunin after a brilliant pass from Mykhailichenko.

Buoyed by the opener, the home side pressed ahead as they went in search of another goal. They almost got their reward when Lassina Traore’s ferocious effort hit the crossbar.

The Italian manager then looked to his bench as he made some changes bringing in his regular soldiers with Vinicius Junior coming in to replace the ineffective Hazard,  as Luka Modric was subbed on for Aurelien Tchouameni.

This brought some stability as Real Madrid continued to pile the pressure on the Ukrainian side as they searched for an equalizer.

The Laliga giants finally got their goal after a wonderful deep cross from  Toni Kross, which found the industrious Rudiger powering home a thunderous header to be at par with Shakhtar Donetsk.

The remaining two fixtures will be more of a test game for the squad players as they already guarantee a place in the knockout phase.

For now, it’s a massive preparation for the El Classico on Sunday for a top-of-the-table clash as they welcome rivals Barcelona.