Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice while Luka Modric and Dani Carvajal also scored to relieve some of the pressure on Benitez, who was given a vote of confidence by president Florentino Perez following Saturday’s rout by Barcelona.
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The home side managed to pull a goal back in the 77th minute, as Alex Teixeira converted from the penalty spot, after Casemiro had committed a foul in the box.
That set up a hugely entertaining end to the game but Real held on to guarantee top spot in the group, but for their hosts, it was a case of what might have been.
In Wednesday’s other game in Group A, Paris Saint-Germain routed Malmo 5-0 to secure qualification. Shakhtar and Malmo both have three points and are eliminated.
Ronaldo opened the scoring with a header and grabbed his second goal of the night on the rebound after his initial attempt was blocked by a defender.
Real’s Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who had not conceded a goal at home all season until the Barcelona match, backed his manager and said the players “support our coach whatever they say in the press”.
Mario Mandzukic shrugged off his poor recent form to score the goal that sent last year’s runners-up Juventus into the Champions League round of 16 with a 1-0 win over Manchester City.
It wouldn’t take long for Ronaldo to make amends, however, as he combined with Modric and Gareth Bale to put the Spanish giants up in the 18th minute. Madrid put the game beyond Donetsk in the 70th minute when Bale won the ball in the midfield and speeded in space down the left.
They will now need to emerge victorious in a tough final match at leaders Wolfsburg on December 8, who are on the brink of progression after defeating CSKA Moscow 2-0.
Madrid saw out a victory to help banish memories of their Clasico thrashing by Barcelona, although the loss of Raphael Varane to injury will come as a blow in what was otherwise a largely encouraging 90 minutes for the under-fire Rafael Benitez.
“He has a good relationship with the players and he has a good relationship with the board and with me”, Perez added.
“He is an absolutely great player, very important for us”.
Fernandinho blasted over from close range for the visitors before Mario Mandzukic volleyed last season’s losing finalists ahead soon after.
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Substitute Raheem Sterling had one of the best of them as he shot wide late on while Fernando had a header turned onto the post and Fernandinho blasted over when well placed. Real had already qualified for the knockout stages, but the victory ensured they will finish top of Group??A while defeat ended Shakh-tar’s slim qualifying hopes.
