The Group B clash seemed to be set up for a straightforward Madrid win, with Shakhtar the clear underdog even before losing half its squad to COVID-19 in a situation coach Luis Castro described as "a nightmare".

But Zinedine Zidane's LaLiga champion was outthought and outfought for 45 minutes at its temporary Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano home as strikes from Mateus Tete and Manor Solomon sandwiched a Raphael Varane own goal to secure a three-goal half-time lead.

Madrid also lost at home to Cadiz last weekend and visits bitter rival Barcelona in El Clasico this weekend yet at least showed some fight after the break.

Efforts from Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior set up a grandstand finish, but Federico Valverde's apparent equaliser in stoppage time was disallowed for offside as Shakhtar survived for a sensational victory.