Winning run
Sunday, April 26, 2026
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Shakhtar faced Kudrivka in the UPL round 25 match
Head coach Arda Turan once again made extensive rotation to the squad and selected the following performers for this clash: Tvardovskyi was in goal, Ghram played at right-back, Azarov appeared on the left, Matviienko and Marlon Santos operated at centre-back, Ocheretko, Bondarenko and Isaque formed the midfield, Newertton and Lucas were deployed as wingers, with Traore taking the centre-forward position.
Total control of the game with goals from Newertton and Lucas
The Miners had almost complete possession of the ball from the opening minutes and positioned virtually the entire team in the opponents’ half. Early on, there were chances for Lucas (he shot into the goalkeeper’s hands after a fine passing move) and Ghram (he sent the ball over the crossbar from the right side of the penalty area). Shakhtar opened the scoring in the 18th minute: Newertton cut in from the left flank, combined with Isaque and produced a shot into the bottom left corner from outside the penalty area to make it 0-1. Soon after, the same Newertton could have doubled the lead when, after a lay-off from Azarov, he struck on the volley, but this time the ball went just wide of the post. In the next attack, Traore had a chance, but the Burkinabe forward’s shot from a tight angle hit a defender and went out of play. The second goal for the Orange-and-Blacks came in the 37th minute: Lucas Ferreira received a pass from Ocheretko, advanced down the right side into the box, beat the defender and curled the ball towards the far corner, with a deflection taking it in – 0-2.
Exchange of goals with Bondarenko’s shot
The second half started with two dangerous opportunities for Traore: first, Lassina struck the left post after a pass from Isaque, and then he attempted a scissor kick from the centre of the box, but the Chernihiv side defender got in the way. Kudrivka, however, converted almost their first real opportunity, reducing the deficit in the 54th minute as Kozak scored from the left side of the goal area. But just three minutes later, in the 57th minute, the Miners restored their advantage: Azarov played a pass into the edge of the penalty arc and Artem Bondarenko curled a precise finish past Yashkov – 1-3. Shortly after, Ocheretko nearly surprised the home goalkeeper with a long-range effort, but the keeper gathered the ball at the second attempt. Midway through the half, the Shakhtar coaching staff made two sets of substitutions as usual: Prosper and Kryskiv, who returned after injury, came on first, followed shortly by Vinicius Tobias and Tsukanov. Viktor could have scored quickly, but his shot from the left side of the box was saved by Yashkov. Until the final whistle, both teams kept trying to change the scoreline, but no further goals followed.
3-1 – Shakhtar defeated Kudrivka and remain at the top of the UPL title race.
Next week, the Miners will continue their European campaign. On Thursday, April 30, Shakhtar will host English side Crystal Palace in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League semi-final tie. The match will take place at the Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium in Kraków (Poland), with kickoff scheduled for 22:00 Kyiv time. Tickets for the home fixture are on sale.
Kudrivka Chernihiv 1-3 (0-2) Shakhtar Donetsk
Lviv, Arena Lviv, att.: 464
Goals: 0-1 Newertton (18′), 0-2 Lucas (37′), 1-2 Kozak (54′), 1-3 Bondarenko (57′)
Shakhtar: Tvardovskyi, Ghram, Matviienko (c), Marlon Santos, Azarov (Vinicius Tobias, 74′), Ocheretko, Isaque (Tsukanov, 74′), Bondarenko (Kryskiv, 68′), Newertton (Prosper, 68′), Lucas, Traore (Meirelles, 89′)
Total control of the game with goals from Newertton and Lucas
The Miners had almost complete possession of the ball from the opening minutes and positioned virtually the entire team in the opponents’ half. Early on, there were chances for Lucas (he shot into the goalkeeper’s hands after a fine passing move) and Ghram (he sent the ball over the crossbar from the right side of the penalty area). Shakhtar opened the scoring in the 18th minute: Newertton cut in from the left flank, combined with Isaque and produced a shot into the bottom left corner from outside the penalty area to make it 0-1. Soon after, the same Newertton could have doubled the lead when, after a lay-off from Azarov, he struck on the volley, but this time the ball went just wide of the post. In the next attack, Traore had a chance, but the Burkinabe forward’s shot from a tight angle hit a defender and went out of play. The second goal for the Orange-and-Blacks came in the 37th minute: Lucas Ferreira received a pass from Ocheretko, advanced down the right side into the box, beat the defender and curled the ball towards the far corner, with a deflection taking it in – 0-2.
Exchange of goals with Bondarenko’s shot
The second half started with two dangerous opportunities for Traore: first, Lassina struck the left post after a pass from Isaque, and then he attempted a scissor kick from the centre of the box, but the Chernihiv side defender got in the way. Kudrivka, however, converted almost their first real opportunity, reducing the deficit in the 54th minute as Kozak scored from the left side of the goal area. But just three minutes later, in the 57th minute, the Miners restored their advantage: Azarov played a pass into the edge of the penalty arc and Artem Bondarenko curled a precise finish past Yashkov – 1-3. Shortly after, Ocheretko nearly surprised the home goalkeeper with a long-range effort, but the keeper gathered the ball at the second attempt. Midway through the half, the Shakhtar coaching staff made two sets of substitutions as usual: Prosper and Kryskiv, who returned after injury, came on first, followed shortly by Vinicius Tobias and Tsukanov. Viktor could have scored quickly, but his shot from the left side of the box was saved by Yashkov. Until the final whistle, both teams kept trying to change the scoreline, but no further goals followed.
3-1 – Shakhtar defeated Kudrivka and remain at the top of the UPL title race.
Next week, the Miners will continue their European campaign. On Thursday, April 30, Shakhtar will host English side Crystal Palace in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League semi-final tie. The match will take place at the Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium in Kraków (Poland), with kickoff scheduled for 22:00 Kyiv time. Tickets for the home fixture are on sale.
Kudrivka Chernihiv 1-3 (0-2) Shakhtar Donetsk
Lviv, Arena Lviv, att.: 464
Goals: 0-1 Newertton (18′), 0-2 Lucas (37′), 1-2 Kozak (54′), 1-3 Bondarenko (57′)
Shakhtar: Tvardovskyi, Ghram, Matviienko (c), Marlon Santos, Azarov (Vinicius Tobias, 74′), Ocheretko, Isaque (Tsukanov, 74′), Bondarenko (Kryskiv, 68′), Newertton (Prosper, 68′), Lucas, Traore (Meirelles, 89′)
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