The winning streak continues
Sunday, March 15, 2026
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Shakhtar hosted Metalist 1925 on the UPL MD20 in Lviv
The Orange-and-Blacks’ manager Arda Turan made a few targeted changes to the line-up compared with Thursday’s game in Poznań: Riznyk started in goal, Konoplia and Pedro Henrique were on the defensive flanks, Bondar and Marlon Santos operated in central defence, Nazaryna, Pedrinho and Ocheretko formed the midfield, Alisson and Newertton were deployed on the wings, with Traore playing as centre-forward this time.
The ceremonial first kick was taken by combat medic Elina Medynina. Following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, she headed the medical service of the Donetsk border detachment, saved the lives of wounded defenders in Mariupol and endured the horrors of Russian captivity. Back in her homeland, she continued serving Ukraine and help the troops. Today, right on the pitch, Elina received a marriage proposal from someone very special to her, with whom she faced the toughest trials together at Azovstal and in captivity.
No goals and few chances before the break
The teams started cautiously, not rushing to open up or attack in numbers, although the best chance of the first half came right at the start: Alisson took on his opponent on the right flank and fired a powerful shot from outside the box – the ball hit the crossbar in the centre of the goal. In a few other moments, Pedrinho and Traore combined well on the edge of the penalty area, but without a final shot. Ocheretko’s attempt was blocked by the Kharkiv side’s defenders. Midway through the half, the already low tempo slowed further due to a series of fouls and stoppages, but closer to the break the teams exchanged dangerous attacks: Alisson delivered a precise cross from the flank, but Varakuta got to the ball just ahead of Traore; in response, Saliuk headed a free-kick delivery – Riznyk was solid.
Everything was decided by a penalty: Traore earned it, Pedrinho converted
After the break, the Miners played with more intensity, pressing the visitors back toward their goal. Early in the second half, Metalist 1925 were again rescued by the crossbar after a cross from Konoplia from near the byline. Later, Alisson’s threatening cross almost forced Shabanov into an own goal. In the 62nd minute, following a foul by Krupskyi on Traore and a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty: Pedrinho smashed the ball into the right corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance – 1-:0. Arda Turan immediately made a double substitution, bringing on Bondarenko and Isaque in midfield. The match remained physical and tense, with the referee showing seven yellow cards in total. The goal had little impact on Metalist 1925, who still occasionally threatened Riznyk’s goal, most notably when Itodo’s shot from the edge of the box almost found the right corner. In the decisive phase, fresh attacking players Lucas, Meirelles, and Vinicius Tobias entered for the Pitmen. They increased the team’s intensity in pressing on the opponents’ half, helping to contain the visitors’ final attempts and secure the needed result.
1-0 – Shakhtar beat Metalist 1925 Shakhtar beat Metalist 1925 to remain top of the UPL.
On Thursday, March 19, Arda Turan’s side face the second leg of the UEFA Conference League Round of 16 against Lech. The match at the Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana in Kraków (Poland) kicks off at 22:00 Kyiv time. Tickets for the home European fixture are on sale.
Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 (0-0) Metalist 1925 Kharkiv
Lviv, Arena Lviv, att.: 3,970
Goal: 1-0 Pedrinho (62′, pen.)
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Konoplia, Bondar (c), Marlon Santos, Pedro Henrique, Nazaryna (Bondarenko, 63′), Pedrinho (Isaque, 63′), Ocheretko, Alisson (Vinicius Tobias, 86′), Newertton (Lucas, 80′), Traore (Meirelles, 80′)
The ceremonial first kick was taken by combat medic Elina Medynina. Following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, she headed the medical service of the Donetsk border detachment, saved the lives of wounded defenders in Mariupol and endured the horrors of Russian captivity. Back in her homeland, she continued serving Ukraine and help the troops. Today, right on the pitch, Elina received a marriage proposal from someone very special to her, with whom she faced the toughest trials together at Azovstal and in captivity.
No goals and few chances before the break
The teams started cautiously, not rushing to open up or attack in numbers, although the best chance of the first half came right at the start: Alisson took on his opponent on the right flank and fired a powerful shot from outside the box – the ball hit the crossbar in the centre of the goal. In a few other moments, Pedrinho and Traore combined well on the edge of the penalty area, but without a final shot. Ocheretko’s attempt was blocked by the Kharkiv side’s defenders. Midway through the half, the already low tempo slowed further due to a series of fouls and stoppages, but closer to the break the teams exchanged dangerous attacks: Alisson delivered a precise cross from the flank, but Varakuta got to the ball just ahead of Traore; in response, Saliuk headed a free-kick delivery – Riznyk was solid.
Everything was decided by a penalty: Traore earned it, Pedrinho converted
After the break, the Miners played with more intensity, pressing the visitors back toward their goal. Early in the second half, Metalist 1925 were again rescued by the crossbar after a cross from Konoplia from near the byline. Later, Alisson’s threatening cross almost forced Shabanov into an own goal. In the 62nd minute, following a foul by Krupskyi on Traore and a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty: Pedrinho smashed the ball into the right corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance – 1-:0. Arda Turan immediately made a double substitution, bringing on Bondarenko and Isaque in midfield. The match remained physical and tense, with the referee showing seven yellow cards in total. The goal had little impact on Metalist 1925, who still occasionally threatened Riznyk’s goal, most notably when Itodo’s shot from the edge of the box almost found the right corner. In the decisive phase, fresh attacking players Lucas, Meirelles, and Vinicius Tobias entered for the Pitmen. They increased the team’s intensity in pressing on the opponents’ half, helping to contain the visitors’ final attempts and secure the needed result.
1-0 – Shakhtar beat Metalist 1925 Shakhtar beat Metalist 1925 to remain top of the UPL.
On Thursday, March 19, Arda Turan’s side face the second leg of the UEFA Conference League Round of 16 against Lech. The match at the Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana in Kraków (Poland) kicks off at 22:00 Kyiv time. Tickets for the home European fixture are on sale.
Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 (0-0) Metalist 1925 Kharkiv
Lviv, Arena Lviv, att.: 3,970
Goal: 1-0 Pedrinho (62′, pen.)
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Konoplia, Bondar (c), Marlon Santos, Pedro Henrique, Nazaryna (Bondarenko, 63′), Pedrinho (Isaque, 63′), Ocheretko, Alisson (Vinicius Tobias, 86′), Newertton (Lucas, 80′), Traore (Meirelles, 80′)
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