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Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player in UEFA Champions League history to score in all 6 group games of a single season, as Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Quickfire strikes from forward Borja Mayoral and Ronaldo helped Real race to a two-goal lead, before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck on either side of half-time to bring Dortmund level. Lucas Vazquez then sliced his shot past goalkeeper Roman Burki in the late stages to win it for Zinedine Zidane's side.
The game was inconsequential from the defending champions' point of view as they would have finished second, regardless of the result. As far as Dortmund were concerned, the result, combined with APOEL Nicosia's defeat at Tottenham, meant that they will compete in the Europa League.
Here are the talking points from a breathtaking game at the Spanish capital:-
#5 Both sides show attacking intent
Albeit inconsequential in terms of the teams' standings in the group, the game was a spectacle to watch and it was made possible only thanks to Madrid and Dortmund providing emphasis on attack rather than defence. Both teams looked to press the other in possession and create potential goal-scoring chances.
While Madrid dominated the first and last quarters, it was the visitors - led by the dangerous Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the number nine position - who kept Real under pressure between the 25th and 65th minute of the game.
He was lethal in counter-attacks and deserved his brace. Shinji Kagawa and Christian Pulisic ran the hosts' defence ragged with impressive performances, playing off Aubameyang in attack.
Both sets of full-backs or wing-backs - Real Madrid's Theo Hernandez, in particular - constantly surged forward and put in delightful crosses for the forwards to attack. Dortmund can be given great credit for putting in a spirited performance, although their efforts counted for nothing in the end.
#4 Aubameyang a lethal force in attack
The major positive from a disastrous Champions League campaign for Borussia Dortmund was the form of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The 28-year old showed no signs of a dip in confidence with an exceptional display at the Santiago Bernabeu with his movement on and off the ball.
His pace during the German outfit's counter-attacks was a nightmare for Real to defend against. His ability to lose his marker in order to meet a cross is also an attribute of a top-class striker. That is exactly what happened when he scored his first goal, peeling away from Sergio Ramos to meet a brilliant cross from Jurgen Schmelzer to halve the deficit.
The second goal was outstanding as well, as the Gabonese striker easily slotted in between the two centre-halves to meet Nuri Sahin's through-ball and beat Keylor Navas with a chip after his initial attempt was saved.
He had numerous opportunities to add to his tally, but a lack of composure in those pivotal moments meant that he had to be satisfied with a brace. Though that is one part of his game that he must work upon, it takes nothing away from his excellent work-ethic at the Bernabeu.
#3 Should Ronaldo's disallowed goal have been allowed to stand?
Cristiano Ronaldo had already made history by becoming the first player to find the net in each group stage fixture of a Champions League season. By doing so in with an excellent shot from the edge of the box after 12 minutes, the Portuguese forward also equalled Lionel Messi's record of 60 goals in the group stage of Europe's elite competition.
However, Ronaldo felt that he was harshly denied a goal in the 79th minute that would have seen him eclipse Messi's tally of goals scored in the group stages. A corner was flicked on by the head of Casemiro - or so it had seemed - before Ronaldo blasted it in, only to be flagged offside.
Real Madrid were unhappy on two fronts - first, by claiming that Ronaldo was level with the last man, and then by appealing that the ball was flicked on by a Dortmund player rather than Casemiro.
Though replays confirmed that the first ball indeed came off Casemiro, the offside call against Ronaldo looked controversial, as he looked to be just about level when the ball was played in his direction.
Nevertheless, the linesman has only a split second to make his decision and it is only a matter of waiting until next season when Ronaldo gets another crack at breaking the record.
#2 Real Madrid's youngsters grab opportunity with both hands
With nothing to play for and an important La Liga tie against Sevilla coming up, Zinedine Zidane decided to give a run-out to some of his younger players, most of whom were signed this season or brought up through Real Madrid Castilla. His choices paid off well as Madrid's future prospects shone when given the opportunity by their boss.
Marcelo's understudy Theo Hernandez was impressive at left-back, galloping forward on numerous occasions to contribute to Madrid's attacks. Forward Borja Mayoral may now threaten out-of-form Karim Benzema's position in the first team with a typical number nine performance, pouncing on a loose ball to open the scoring for Real Madrid.
He also helped his team create chances rather than wait for service in the penalty area.
All three substitutes also put in excellent shifts to convince Zidane that they were capable of delivering on the biggest stage. Though Marcos Asensio has been a regular figure in first-team affairs this season, it was the performances of midfielders Dani Ceballos and Marcos Llorente that Zidane will take a lot from.
Their auditions for the senior team were successful as the pair moved the ball around immaculately in the attacking third and put in teasing balls into the Dortmund box for Mayoral and Ronaldo to feed upon.
It certainly was an evening for Madrid's young guns to cherish.
#1 Both teams' defence need pepping up
The countless number of chances created by either side may have made for an encounter that was pleasing to the eye, but any Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund fan will tell you that all is not well with the quality of defending that was on offer on Wednesday night.
Real Madrid were dealt a big blow when Raphael Varane was forced off through injury in the first half, which now leaves their defensive resources stretched with Sergio Ramos suspended for the Sevilla game on Saturday.
Their thin defence was constantly exposed by Dortmund's dangerous front three of Shinji Kagawa, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Christian Pulisic. The trio were making numerous approaches towards the 18-yard box as they looked to make a comeback from 2-0 down and Aubameyang, in particular, was a genuine threat in the counter-attack.
Dortmund's weakness in defence, on the other side of the pitch, lies in dealing with crosses or long balls. Every time a cross was put into the box, the visiting defenders appeared to get themselves into a scramble just to clear the danger.
With Ronaldo and Borja Mayoral prowling in the penalty area throughout, the back three were looking desperate and relieved just to get the ball away for a corner rather than show some confidence in heading an aerial ball or clearing a low cross away from goal.
The defending was not the best on show from either side and both managers would have made similar observations during the game. Rectifications in that area of the pitch wouldn't do them half-bad as they prepare for their respective European knockout campaigns.
