Stepanenko's double

The teams were solving absolutely different tasks in this match: in case of winning it, the Miners would secure silver medals and the participation in the Champions League qualifying stage next season, while the Uzhgorod side had to claim three points to prevent relegation. We would like to mention the appearance of Viktor Korniienko in the starting lineup - he took the usual left-back position, as well as the return of Alan Patrick after a minor injury.

Maximum conversion rate

Throughout the first half, Shakhtar had an overwhelming advantage, dominating possessing for nearly three quarters of the playing time and trapping the opponents in their own half of the pitch. Early in the game, Dentinho's attempt hit a defender, Solomon sent the ball high, and Popovich intercepted a pass to Tete with his timely rushing out. Midway through the first half, David Khocholava left the field due to injury and was replaced by Vitao at centre-back. However, the Donetsk side continued pressing, and in the 29th minute they opened the scoring: the only shot on target before the break was converted: Dodo delivered a cross, and Taras Stepanenko headed it home from nearly the edge of the box! Dentinho could build on their success shortly after that, but his effort hit the goalpost.

Farewell thrashing

Luis Castro's men managed to double the lead early in the second half: in the 53rd minute, Tete burst into the penalty area and delivered the ball to the far post for Manor Solomon to flick it home – 0-2. But the Miners’ attacking energy did not run low after that. This time, Dodo headed Alan Patrick's pass goalwards, with Maycon watching for the goalie’s mistake and an error by the Uzhgorod defender while switching from defending to attacking to score the third goal without facing any interference. Only in the 73rd minute, for the first time in the match, Anatolii Trubin really joined in the play, showcasing brilliant reflexes to stop Ugochukwu’s effort. At the end of the meeting, the Shakhtar coaching staff fielded the young Bohdan Viunnyk and Heorhii Sudakov, with Taras Stepanenko sealing the win in the 81st minute: after Dodo's pass, the captain sent the ball right in the angle to score a double.

4-0 - Shakhtar beat Minaj in the penultimate league round, thus ensuring the UPL relegation for the Uzhgorod side, and securing silver medals and booking  the 2021/22 Champions League qualification spot for themselves.

The Miners will play this season’s final match vs Inhulets at the NSC Olimpiyskiy in Kyiv on May 9. It kicks off at 17:00. Tickets are on sale now.

Minaj Uzhgorod 0-4 (0-1) Shakhtar Donetsk

Kyiv, NSC Olimpiyskiy, att: 652

Goals: 0-1 Stepanenko (29’), 0-2 Solomon (53’), 0-3 Maycon (70’), 0-4 Stepanenko (81’)

Shakhtar: Trubin, Dodo, Khocholava (Vitao - 21’), Kryvtsov, Korniienko, Stepanenko (c), Maycon (Sudakov - 75’), Alan Patrick (Marcos - 70’), Tete, Solomon (Fernando - 70’), Dentinho ( Viunnyk - 75’)