Win in the Clasico!
Sunday, May 3, 2026
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Shakhtar faced Dynamo away in the UPL MD26 centrepiece game
Head coach of the Miners Arda Turan named the following line-up for the Ukrainian Clasico: Riznyk was in goal, Matviienko and Marlon Santos played at centre-back, Ghram and Azarov operated on the flanks, Nazaryna, Bondarenko and Isaque appeared in midfield, Newertton and Lucas were deployed as wingers, with Traore taking the centre-forward position. Shakhtar also took to the pitch for the first time in jerseys featuring the logo of the club’s new title sponsor BETON.
A controversial goal from the opponents and missed chances before the break
The match started at a low tempo, with positional battles mainly in the central area. The first chance came for the hosts when Karavaiev struck the near post after a corner kick. In the 13th minute, the Kyiv side took the lead in a highly controversial moment: Ponomarenko brought Nazaryna down in the centre circle, took possession of the ball and produced a powerful long-ranger from midfield, beating the goalkeeper. The referee and VAR officials did not review the incident and allowed the controversial goal to stand. The Pitmen immediately increased their attacking intensity and created several dangerous opportunities: Matviienko headed a cross from Nazaryna – the ball landed on the roof of the net, while Lucas fired a powerful shot from the edge of the box – also over the bar. Midway through the half, the Orange-and-Blacks were forced into a substitution: Marlon Santos picked up an injury and was replaced by Vinicius Tobias. The visitors continued to attack, with Newertton creating two chances in quick succession: first, the Brazilian unexpectedly curled a shot from the left flank towards the far top corner – the ball went just over the crossbar, and then the winger of the Miners struck acrobatically from a tight angle – Neshcheret parried it away for a corner.
A brilliant comeback with goals from Lucas and Traore
During the break, Arda Turan made two substitutions, bringing on Kryskiv and Prosper. Shakhtar started the second half strongly and, after several consecutive attacks, equalised in the 50th minute: Prosper surged down the left flank and played in Traoré, who held the ball up and laid it off centrally inside the box for Lucas, who struck first time into the top right corner – 1-1. After that, the game became slightly calmer, with both teams playing more cautiously and focusing on possession. However, the Miners found their chance and took the lead in the 68th minute: Matviienko’s powerful long-range shot was parried by the goalkeeper and Lassina Traore reacted quickest to the rebound, smashing the ball into the net to make it 1-2. A few minutes later, Kyiv had a chance to equalise, but Yatsyk fired over the bar from close range. Dynamo continued to search for an equaliser, and Guerrero did find the net in one of the situations, but the goal was correctly disallowed for offside. In added time, the hosts almost rescued a point, but Mykhavko’s header from close range was saved by Riznyk, while Guerrero’s effort after a corner went just centimetres wide.
2-1 – Shakhtar defeat Dynamo and extend their lead over their nearest rivals in the UPL to 10 points. In the next round, Arda Turan’s side could win the league title.
On Thursday, the Miners face a key European fixture of the season. The return leg of the UEFA Conference League semi-final tie between Crystal Palace and Shakhtar will take place on May 7. The game will be played at the Selhurst Park in London (England) with kickoff scheduled for 22:00 Kyiv time.
Dynamo Kyiv 1-2 (1-0) Shakhtar Donetsk
Kyiv, V. Lobanovskyi Dynamo Stadium, att.: 7,900
Goals: 1-0 Ponomarenko (13′), 1-1 Lucas (50′), 1-2 Traore (68′)
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Ghram, Matviienko (c), Marlon Santos (Vinicius Tobias, 27′), Azarov (Pedro Henrique, 76′), Nazaryna (Kryskiv, 46′), Isaque, Bondarenko (Ocheretko, 63′), Newertton (Prosper, 46′), Lucas, Traore
A controversial goal from the opponents and missed chances before the break
The match started at a low tempo, with positional battles mainly in the central area. The first chance came for the hosts when Karavaiev struck the near post after a corner kick. In the 13th minute, the Kyiv side took the lead in a highly controversial moment: Ponomarenko brought Nazaryna down in the centre circle, took possession of the ball and produced a powerful long-ranger from midfield, beating the goalkeeper. The referee and VAR officials did not review the incident and allowed the controversial goal to stand. The Pitmen immediately increased their attacking intensity and created several dangerous opportunities: Matviienko headed a cross from Nazaryna – the ball landed on the roof of the net, while Lucas fired a powerful shot from the edge of the box – also over the bar. Midway through the half, the Orange-and-Blacks were forced into a substitution: Marlon Santos picked up an injury and was replaced by Vinicius Tobias. The visitors continued to attack, with Newertton creating two chances in quick succession: first, the Brazilian unexpectedly curled a shot from the left flank towards the far top corner – the ball went just over the crossbar, and then the winger of the Miners struck acrobatically from a tight angle – Neshcheret parried it away for a corner.
A brilliant comeback with goals from Lucas and Traore
During the break, Arda Turan made two substitutions, bringing on Kryskiv and Prosper. Shakhtar started the second half strongly and, after several consecutive attacks, equalised in the 50th minute: Prosper surged down the left flank and played in Traoré, who held the ball up and laid it off centrally inside the box for Lucas, who struck first time into the top right corner – 1-1. After that, the game became slightly calmer, with both teams playing more cautiously and focusing on possession. However, the Miners found their chance and took the lead in the 68th minute: Matviienko’s powerful long-range shot was parried by the goalkeeper and Lassina Traore reacted quickest to the rebound, smashing the ball into the net to make it 1-2. A few minutes later, Kyiv had a chance to equalise, but Yatsyk fired over the bar from close range. Dynamo continued to search for an equaliser, and Guerrero did find the net in one of the situations, but the goal was correctly disallowed for offside. In added time, the hosts almost rescued a point, but Mykhavko’s header from close range was saved by Riznyk, while Guerrero’s effort after a corner went just centimetres wide.
2-1 – Shakhtar defeat Dynamo and extend their lead over their nearest rivals in the UPL to 10 points. In the next round, Arda Turan’s side could win the league title.
On Thursday, the Miners face a key European fixture of the season. The return leg of the UEFA Conference League semi-final tie between Crystal Palace and Shakhtar will take place on May 7. The game will be played at the Selhurst Park in London (England) with kickoff scheduled for 22:00 Kyiv time.
Dynamo Kyiv 1-2 (1-0) Shakhtar Donetsk
Kyiv, V. Lobanovskyi Dynamo Stadium, att.: 7,900
Goals: 1-0 Ponomarenko (13′), 1-1 Lucas (50′), 1-2 Traore (68′)
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Ghram, Matviienko (c), Marlon Santos (Vinicius Tobias, 27′), Azarov (Pedro Henrique, 76′), Nazaryna (Kryskiv, 46′), Isaque, Bondarenko (Ocheretko, 63′), Newertton (Prosper, 46′), Lucas, Traore
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