Juventus, inspired by two-goal Alessandro Del Piero, chalked up their first win at Real Madrid since 1962 by beating the Spaniards 2-0 on Wednesday to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League.
The 33-year-old Italy striker received a standing ovation from the Bernabeu crowd when he was substituted in injury time after an effervescent performance hailed by coach Claudio Ranieri.
"When you have a great player who is performing superbly and giving his all for the team the colour of his shirt does not matter," Ranieri told a news conference.
"They applaud because they are applauding football, they are applauding a thing of beauty."
Defeat left nine-times European champions Real in a precarious position in Group H, needing to avoid slip-ups in their final two matches against BATE Borisov and Zenit St Petersburg.
BATE were beaten 2-0 by visiting Zenit on Wednesday.
Real had the lion's share of possession but created few opportunities after Del Piero fired Juve into an early lead when he drilled in a low left-foot shot from 18 metres.
Spain defender Sergio Ramos spurned Real's best chance midway through the second half and Del Piero made it 2-0 with a superb free-kick that left goalkeeper Iker Casillas watching helplessly.
"I learned from the best with free-kicks and always studied, trained hard to get better at this skill," Del Piero said.
"I asked (Christian) Molinaro to extend the wall and decrease the vision the goalkeeper had. I aimed it at the near post and thankfully Casillas stayed there."
Del Piero was also delighted new Argentina coach Diego Maradona was in the crowd at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
"Maradona was in the stands? I am happy to have scored in front of him. I hope he comes to watch us more often," Del Piero said.
"I am extremely happy. We won, we have qualified, I scored.
"I am also proud of the applause I received at the Bernabeu, an incredible stadium and an extremely important one. You live for this kind of emotions."
Real players were full of admiration for the Juventus striker.
"A player like Del Piero is always difficult to stop. Today he was amazing again," said winger Royston Drenthe.