European victory
Thursday, November 6, 2025
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Shakhtar hosted Icelandic side Breiðablik in the UEFA Conference League round 3 in Kraków
Head coach of the Miners Arda Turan made extensive squad changes compared to the victorious league match against Dynamo, selecting the following starting XI for the European game: Riznyk took the place between the sticks, Bonar and Gram were in central defence, Vinicius Tobias and Azarov appeared on the defensive flanks, Nazaryna, Bondarenko and Isaque operated in midfield, with Lucas, Meirelles and Kaua Elias leading the attack.
Dominant style of play with Bondarenko’s goal
From the opening minutes, the Pitmen held complete control over their opponents – keeping possession for over 80% of the game and rarely leaving the opposition half. The Icelanders, however, defended intelligently, keeping the hosts at the edge of the penalty area and making it difficult to create clear chances. The first real scoring opportunity fell to Kaua Elias, who received a pass from Bondarenko and shot just past the post. Shortly after, Meirelles tried to convert a corner delivery, but his attempt also narrowly missed the target. The first goal came from a set piece after a combination between the two Ukrainian midfielders: in the 28th minute, Nazaryna delivered a soft cross from the right corner into the semi-circle at the edge of the penalty area and Artem Bondarenko adjusted his body and volleyed beautifully into the left corner, making it 1-0. In the remaining time before half-time, the Orange-and-Blacks calmly controlled the game without forcing the pace, ending the first half with a narrow lead.
Kaua Elias sealed a confident victory
After the break, the pattern of play barely changed. The only difference was that Breiðablik players began meeting the Miners higher up the pitch, trying to play more aggressively in midfield. Arda Turan’s side continued to create chances almost single-handedly, but long-ranges from Nazaryna and Bondarenko were parried by the Icelandic goalkeeper, and Lucas’ attempt flew well over the bar. However, in the 65th minute, the Pitmen doubled their lead: Ghram sent a long ball from his own half to Kaua Elias on the edge of the penalty area, the latter played a one-two with Isaque and carefully curled the ball under the right post – 2-0. The coaching staff of the Orange-and-Blacks made two substitutions: first bringing on Hlushchenko in midfield, then refreshing the attack with Shved. Marian nearly scored immediately after, finishing Lucas’ cross from the left flank, but the ball went into the goalkeeper’s hands. Just before that, the Brazilian himself had a chance to score by connecting with a teammate’s cross at the far post, but his shot was blocked by the opposition’s defenders. Near the end of the match, the visitors created perhaps their first real chance – Bjarnason struck from the left edge of the box, but the ball went just past the near post.
2-0 – Shakhtar defeated Breiðablik and have 6 points at the halfway mark of the UEFA Europa Conference League league phase.
Arda Turan’s side will play their next European match against Irish side Shamrock away on November 27. It kicks off at 22:00 Kyiv time.
This coming Sunday, November 9, the Orange-and-Blacks will host Poltava in the UPL round 12. The clash will take place at the Arena Lviv, with kickoff scheduled for 18:00.
Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 (1-0) Breiðablik Kópavogur
Kraków, Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana, att.: 5,250
Goals: 1-0 Bondarenko (28′), 2-0 Kaua Elias (65′)
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Vinicius Tobias, Bondar (c), Ghram, Azarov, Nazaryna, Bondarenko (Hlushchenko, 68′), Isaque, Lucas, Meirelles (Shved, 75′), Kaua Elias
Dominant style of play with Bondarenko’s goal
From the opening minutes, the Pitmen held complete control over their opponents – keeping possession for over 80% of the game and rarely leaving the opposition half. The Icelanders, however, defended intelligently, keeping the hosts at the edge of the penalty area and making it difficult to create clear chances. The first real scoring opportunity fell to Kaua Elias, who received a pass from Bondarenko and shot just past the post. Shortly after, Meirelles tried to convert a corner delivery, but his attempt also narrowly missed the target. The first goal came from a set piece after a combination between the two Ukrainian midfielders: in the 28th minute, Nazaryna delivered a soft cross from the right corner into the semi-circle at the edge of the penalty area and Artem Bondarenko adjusted his body and volleyed beautifully into the left corner, making it 1-0. In the remaining time before half-time, the Orange-and-Blacks calmly controlled the game without forcing the pace, ending the first half with a narrow lead.
Kaua Elias sealed a confident victory
After the break, the pattern of play barely changed. The only difference was that Breiðablik players began meeting the Miners higher up the pitch, trying to play more aggressively in midfield. Arda Turan’s side continued to create chances almost single-handedly, but long-ranges from Nazaryna and Bondarenko were parried by the Icelandic goalkeeper, and Lucas’ attempt flew well over the bar. However, in the 65th minute, the Pitmen doubled their lead: Ghram sent a long ball from his own half to Kaua Elias on the edge of the penalty area, the latter played a one-two with Isaque and carefully curled the ball under the right post – 2-0. The coaching staff of the Orange-and-Blacks made two substitutions: first bringing on Hlushchenko in midfield, then refreshing the attack with Shved. Marian nearly scored immediately after, finishing Lucas’ cross from the left flank, but the ball went into the goalkeeper’s hands. Just before that, the Brazilian himself had a chance to score by connecting with a teammate’s cross at the far post, but his shot was blocked by the opposition’s defenders. Near the end of the match, the visitors created perhaps their first real chance – Bjarnason struck from the left edge of the box, but the ball went just past the near post.
2-0 – Shakhtar defeated Breiðablik and have 6 points at the halfway mark of the UEFA Europa Conference League league phase.
Arda Turan’s side will play their next European match against Irish side Shamrock away on November 27. It kicks off at 22:00 Kyiv time.
This coming Sunday, November 9, the Orange-and-Blacks will host Poltava in the UPL round 12. The clash will take place at the Arena Lviv, with kickoff scheduled for 18:00.
Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 (1-0) Breiðablik Kópavogur
Kraków, Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana, att.: 5,250
Goals: 1-0 Bondarenko (28′), 2-0 Kaua Elias (65′)
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Vinicius Tobias, Bondar (c), Ghram, Azarov, Nazaryna, Bondarenko (Hlushchenko, 68′), Isaque, Lucas, Meirelles (Shved, 75′), Kaua Elias
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