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Thursday, May 7, 2026
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Shakhtar faced Crystal Palace away in the return leg of the UEFA Conference League semi-final tie
Shakhtar coach Arda Turan fielded the same starting line-up that kicked off the first match a week earlier: Riznyk took the place between the sticks, Matviienko and Bondar were the centre-backs, Vinicius Tobias and Pedro Henrique appeared as fullbacks, Ocheretko, Pedrinho and Marlon Gomes formed the midfield, Eguinaldo and Alisson played as wingers, with Kaua Elias as centre forward.
The Miners’ advantage in a game with goals exchanged before the break
From the start of the match, Shakhtar took control and looked to play on the front foot, finishing the first half with almost 70 per cent possession. The first chance also fell to the Pitmen – Eguinaldo fired from the centre of the penalty area, but he was in an offside position. The hosts were relying purely on counterattacks, which proved very dangerous. In one of the early breaks, Pino even scored – but the goal was disallowed for offside. Alisson had several decent opportunities: in one moment, he attempted an overhead-style finish, but missed, and later, he directed the ball straight into the goalkeeper’s hands from close range. In the 25th minute, the London side took the lead: Wharton’s powerful long-ranger was saved by Riznyk, but Muñoz reacted first to the rebound, the ball deflected off Pedro Henrique after his shot and went in off the post. Almost immediately, the visitors were forced into a change: Vinicius Tobias picked up an injury and was replaced by Ghram. However, the conceded goal did not disrupt Shakhtar’s game plan – they continued to push forward, combining well in the opposition half, and in the 34th minute, one such attack brought an equaliser. Pedro Henrique made amends, delivering a fine pass into the box to Eguinaldo, who controlled the ball with one touch, turned and fired precisely into the near top corner with his second touch to make it 1-1. Towards the end of the half, the sides exchanged further chances: Alisson, following a pass from Pedro Henrique, shot over the bar, while Mateta hit the right post with a diving effort.
We conceded early in the half and were unable to respond
At half-time, the coaching staff of the Pitmen made a change, with Isaque coming on. At the start of the second half, the Orange-and-Blacks had a chance to take the lead, but Kaua Elias’s shot was blocked by the goalkeeper with his feet From the very next attack, the hosts scored – a low cross from the left flank was turned in at the near post by Sarr. Arda Turan reacted with a double substitution, bringing on Newertton and Traore. Meanwhile, Pedrinho had a fine opportunity when, after a cross from Matviienko and being fed by Eguinaldo, he struck the ball straight at the goalkeeper. Shortly afterwards, Shakhtar’s number 10 was replaced by the young Lucas. The exchange of attacks continued right until the final whistle. Riznyk saved a shot from Strand Larsen, while Matviienko failed to hit the target from distance, but neither side managed to change the scoreline. 1-2 in this game and 2–5 on aggregate – the Miners were beaten by Crystal Palace.
Shakhtar concluded their European season at the semi-final stage of the UEFA Conference League.
This coming Sunday, May 10, the Orange-and-Blacks will face Poltava in UPL round 27. The game will take place at the Arena Lviv, with kickoff scheduled for 15:30. Based on the result of this game, Shakhtar could secure the league title early. In that case, a trophy presentation ceremony for the Ukrainian champions will be held at the stadium after the clash. Tickets are on sale.
Crystal Palace London 2-1 (1-1) Shakhtar Donetsk
London, Selhurst Park
Goals: 1-0 Pedro Henrique (25′, og), 1-1 Eguinaldo (34′), 2-1 Sarr (52′)
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Vinicius Tobias (Ghram, 27′), Bondar, Matviienko (c), Pedro Henrique, Ocheretko (Newertton, 56′), Pedrinho (Lucas, 75′), Marlon Gomes, Alisson (Isaque, 46′), Eguinaldo, Kaua Elias (Traore, 56′)
The Miners’ advantage in a game with goals exchanged before the break
From the start of the match, Shakhtar took control and looked to play on the front foot, finishing the first half with almost 70 per cent possession. The first chance also fell to the Pitmen – Eguinaldo fired from the centre of the penalty area, but he was in an offside position. The hosts were relying purely on counterattacks, which proved very dangerous. In one of the early breaks, Pino even scored – but the goal was disallowed for offside. Alisson had several decent opportunities: in one moment, he attempted an overhead-style finish, but missed, and later, he directed the ball straight into the goalkeeper’s hands from close range. In the 25th minute, the London side took the lead: Wharton’s powerful long-ranger was saved by Riznyk, but Muñoz reacted first to the rebound, the ball deflected off Pedro Henrique after his shot and went in off the post. Almost immediately, the visitors were forced into a change: Vinicius Tobias picked up an injury and was replaced by Ghram. However, the conceded goal did not disrupt Shakhtar’s game plan – they continued to push forward, combining well in the opposition half, and in the 34th minute, one such attack brought an equaliser. Pedro Henrique made amends, delivering a fine pass into the box to Eguinaldo, who controlled the ball with one touch, turned and fired precisely into the near top corner with his second touch to make it 1-1. Towards the end of the half, the sides exchanged further chances: Alisson, following a pass from Pedro Henrique, shot over the bar, while Mateta hit the right post with a diving effort.
We conceded early in the half and were unable to respond
At half-time, the coaching staff of the Pitmen made a change, with Isaque coming on. At the start of the second half, the Orange-and-Blacks had a chance to take the lead, but Kaua Elias’s shot was blocked by the goalkeeper with his feet From the very next attack, the hosts scored – a low cross from the left flank was turned in at the near post by Sarr. Arda Turan reacted with a double substitution, bringing on Newertton and Traore. Meanwhile, Pedrinho had a fine opportunity when, after a cross from Matviienko and being fed by Eguinaldo, he struck the ball straight at the goalkeeper. Shortly afterwards, Shakhtar’s number 10 was replaced by the young Lucas. The exchange of attacks continued right until the final whistle. Riznyk saved a shot from Strand Larsen, while Matviienko failed to hit the target from distance, but neither side managed to change the scoreline. 1-2 in this game and 2–5 on aggregate – the Miners were beaten by Crystal Palace.
Shakhtar concluded their European season at the semi-final stage of the UEFA Conference League.
This coming Sunday, May 10, the Orange-and-Blacks will face Poltava in UPL round 27. The game will take place at the Arena Lviv, with kickoff scheduled for 15:30. Based on the result of this game, Shakhtar could secure the league title early. In that case, a trophy presentation ceremony for the Ukrainian champions will be held at the stadium after the clash. Tickets are on sale.
Crystal Palace London 2-1 (1-1) Shakhtar Donetsk
London, Selhurst Park
Goals: 1-0 Pedro Henrique (25′, og), 1-1 Eguinaldo (34′), 2-1 Sarr (52′)
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Vinicius Tobias (Ghram, 27′), Bondar, Matviienko (c), Pedro Henrique, Ocheretko (Newertton, 56′), Pedrinho (Lucas, 75′), Marlon Gomes, Alisson (Isaque, 46′), Eguinaldo, Kaua Elias (Traore, 56′)
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