Real Madrid's last match at Gelsenkirchen's Veltins-Arena took place on November 21, 2023, during the UEFA Champions League group stage. The Spanish club defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1, with goals from Rodrygo and Vinícius Júnior. This was the final time Madrid played at that stadium, as the venue was not used for their subsequent European fixtures.
The match was part of the 2023-24 Champions League campaign, where Real Madrid topped Group C. Shakhtar Donetsk, due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, played their home matches in Gelsenkirchen as a neutral venue. The win helped Madrid secure early qualification to the knockout stages.
Since then, Real Madrid have not returned to Gelsenkirchen for any competitive match. The club's future European away games have been held at other stadiums, including the Santiago Bernabéu for home fixtures and various other venues for away matches.
This historical note is often referenced by fans and media when discussing Real Madrid's European travels, especially given the unique circumstances of Shakhtar's temporary home ground.
