Cristiano Ronaldo scores and sets up Marcelo wonder strike in Real Madrid win at Schalke in Champions League

Cristiano Ronaldo had lots of work to do to win back Real Madrid fans after last week's birthday party controversy. After his performance in the first leg of Real's Champions League round of 16 tie against Schalke, all should be forgiven. For now, anyway.

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Ronaldo produced two precious away goals for the defending European champions, scoring in the 26th minute and then setting up the clinching second goal – Marcelo's 79th-minute rocket with his weaker right foot – for a convincing 2-0 victory at VELTINS-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

Ronaldo gave Real Madrid the early lead when he beat the Schalke backline to Daniel Carvajal's cross and headed it past goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther. The goal was Ronaldo's first in 299 minutes of action.

The reigning Ballon d'Or winner made sure Real would return to the Santiago Bernabeu with a healthy cushion for the March 10 return leg. Dribbling along the left touch line, he slipped through two Schalke defenders and slid the ball to Marcelo into space just outside the 18-yard box. The Brazilian left back unleashed a blast into the top corner for a 2-0 lead.

With his goal and assist, Ronaldo now has the most goals (23) and assists (6) in the Champions League over the last two seasons. That statistic alone should remind Real Madrid fans with short memories what he has done for a club that still sits atop the La Liga table by one point over a rampant Barcelona.

Joe Lago is the deputy editor and soccer editor of Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter @joelago.