Real Madrid 2-0 Gladbach: Benzema double fires Zidane's men to last 16

Real Madrid advance into the last-16 of the Champions League as victory over Borussia Monchengladbach seals top spot in Group B.

Marco Rose's men entered matchday six of the Champions League on top of Group B, but it was the 13-time European champions who rose to the big occasion.

A shock 2-0 loss away to Shakhtar Donestk last time out in continental competition for Zinedine Zidane’s side left Los Blancos needing a win to be sure of their place in the knockout stages and two first-half headers from Karim Benzema sent them on their way.

Following a tepid opening period, Benzema opened the scoring after right-back Lucas Vazquez was afforded time and space to float a cross onto the Frenchman's head. The 32-year-old applied a glancing touch, nestling the ball into the corner past a helpless Yann Sommer.

Madrid's constant first-half dominance was only interrupted by one huge chance for Alassane Plea. The former Nice man was through on goal when he dinked the ball over the onrushing Thibaut Courtois but put his effort just the wrong side of the Belgian's post.

The current Spanish champions continued to raid at will down their right-hand-side with Rodyrgo and Vazquez running Marcus Thuram and Oscar Wendt ragged.

It was the young Brazilian that turned supplier just past the half-hour mark with another sumptuous cross towards a grateful Benzema who found himself in glorious isolation deep inside the Gladbach box.

Two half-time substitutes couldn't spark the German side into life with Toni Kroos and the impressive Vazquez hitting the woodwork in the second period while Benzema and Sergio Ramos worked Sommer with further headed efforts.

Rose's charges were only spared their blushes after a hugely disappointing display wasn't punished by Inter or Shakhtar, who played out a 0-0 draw at San Siro, meaning Gladbach join Madrid in qualifying for the last-16.