News of Real Madrid's goal fest in Gelserkichen travelled around the world with the team being praised on all sides by the sports press and the general press alike. In Spain, sports daily Marca ran with the headline: "The best Real Madrid in a long time. Cristiano, Benzema and Bale all shine with two goals each against Schalke and put an end to the German curse. In a match to remember, the 'Clockwork Orange' completely dominated Schalke with a marvellous performance from the front three”.

Meanwhile, As ran with “Madrid rubbishes the curse”, and described the game as “an exhibition by Ancelotti's men in Gelsenkirchen. Two each for BBC: Benzema, Bale and Cristiano all bag braces. Casillas is unstoppable".

How they saw it in Spain
El Mundo praised the goal scorers: “BBC opens the doors wide open. Real Madrid romp to a 6-1 victory over a Schalke side incapable of containing the Whites' powerful attacking trio also known as 'BBC': Benzema, Bale and Cristiano each scored two goals, some of which came from wonderful individual play”. ABC went in a similar vein: "Madrid thrashes Schalke and the German curse. The Whites were a force of nature in the Veltins Arena. Benzema, Bale and Cristiano score two goals each”.

El País declared that "Madrid humiliates Schalke and conquers Germany. The visitors thrash the home side with two goals each from the attacking trio: Benzema (2), Bale (2) and Cristiano (2) all find the back of the net. With the score at 1-0, Casillas pulled off an incredible save to deny Draxler".

"Real Madrid, what a treat!", runs L'Equipe
The French daily highlighted that the Whites “are already through to the quarter-finals after an offensive master class against Schalke. The Madrid trio punished and humiliated Schalke in Gelsenkirchen”.

In Italy, La Gazzeta dello Sport said: “Real Madrid destroys Schalke with Benzema, Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo all scoring braces”. In Portugal, a very expressive A Bola ran with: “Real Madrid crushes Schalke. Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema secure the Whites' passage to the quarter-finals”.

The reaction in England
The Daily Mail pointed out that “Real Madrid all but sealed their place in the Champions League quarter-finals” by beating Schalke 6-1 "with ease". The Guardian declared that "Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema scored twice each as rampant Real Madrid ripped Schalke apart in the first leg of the last-16 Champions League tie”.

The German papers were also full of praise for the Whites' dominance. According to Die Welt “Real Madrid overwhelmed Schalke and played at their leisure”. Bild explained how “Real Madrid brutally brought Schalke back down to earth. Real Madrid's attacking trio of Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo gave a world class account of themselves”.

"Real Madrid wins the first leg", runs 'Olé'
The Argentine daily praised the White team which with "two goals each from Cristiano, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, destroys Schalke 6-1 away from home and gets one leg in the Champions League quarter-finals”.