The Blancos were unstoppable at the Veltins Arena on Wednesday as they annihilated Schalke in a 6-1 Champions League last-16 first-leg victoryGareth Bale says Real Madrid are "in it to win it" after Carlo Ancelotti’s men virtually guaranteed themselves a place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 6-1 demolition of Schalke on Wednesday. Bale and fellow forwards Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo each scored twice as Madrid ran riot in Gelsenkirchen in a one-sided last-16 first leg. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar netted the goal of the night with a wonderful volley late on but it was of scant consolation for Schalke, who were hopelessly outplayed on a sobering night for the home crowd. Madrid’s long-held quest to become European champions for a 10th time looks to be gathering momentum and Bale was in bullish mood afterwards, talking up the Spanish giants' chances of achieving La Decima. The Wales international told Sky: "It was a great performance. We were fully prepared and ready for this match. It is a great result. "It is a team game and we work very hard for each other on the pitch. I think this is a key for this team to have improved this year. "We are in it to win it. We want to win every competition we play. We know it is not going to be easy, because there are many great teams fighting for it. But we will give it a try." Madrid will host Jens Keller's men in the second leg of the European tie on March 18.

Gareth Bale says Real Madrid are "in it to win it" after Carlo Ancelotti’s men virtually guaranteed themselves a place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a 6-1 demolition of Schalke on Wednesday.

Bale and fellow forwards Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo each scored twice as Madrid ran riot in Gelsenkirchen in a one-sided last-16 first leg.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar netted the goal of the night with a wonderful volley late on but it was of scant consolation for Schalke, who were hopelessly outplayed on a sobering night for the home crowd.

Madrid’s long-held quest to become European champions for a 10th time looks to be gathering momentum and Bale was in bullish mood afterwards, talking up the Spanish giants' chances of achieving La Decima.

The Wales international told Sky: "It was a great performance. We were fully prepared and ready for this match. It is a great result.

"It is a team game and we work very hard for each other on the pitch. I think this is a key for this team to have improved this year.

"We are in it to win it. We want to win every competition we play. We know it is not going to be easy, because there are many great teams fighting for it. But we will give it a try."

Madrid will host Jens Keller's men in the second leg of the European tie on March 18.