Topping the UPL!
Saturday, October 17, 2026
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Shakhtar hosted Kolos in the UPL round 9 in Lviv
Shakhtar head coach Arda Turan made widespread changes to the starting line-up between the two Champions League matches, as expected, and selected the following team for today’s game: Riznyk was in goal, Bondar and Matturro played centre-back; Vinicius Tobias and Karavaiev operated at full-back, Nazaryna, Kryskiv and Isaque formed the midfield, Prosper and Bruninho were deployed on the wings, with Meirelles taking the centre-forward position.
The ceremonial kick-off was taken by Police Sergeant Yurii Seifulin, call sign Seif, a serviceman of the KORD Special Purpose Police Battalion (Rifle Unit) of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Lviv Oblast. For 13 years, he has dedicated himself to serving and defending Ukraine, its freedom and independence. In January 2026, he sustained a serious injury while carrying out a combat mission in the Kostiantynivka sector. We thank Yurii for his courage, dedication to Ukraine and service in the cause of its future!
Defenders Vinicius Tobias and Bondar scored to make it two
Both teams made a lively start and created plenty of chances in the opening minutes. Bruninho made his way down the right flank and shot from a tight angle towards the near post, but the goalkeeper saved. After a corner, Meirelles had a shot from the centre of the penalty area but failed to make proper contact with the ball. Kolos responded with Salabai through on goal, but Riznyk denied him. Shakhtar took the lead on the counter-attack that followed: in the 11th minute, Vinicius Tobias received the ball on the left flank and fired it inside the near post from almost the corner of the penalty area to make it 1-0. A few minutes later, the hosts had a great chance to extend their lead. Kryskiv’s header from inside the six-yard box came back off the crossbar, while Meirelles hit the left post on the rebound. The tempo dropped slightly midway through the first half, with the main highlight of that spell being a dazzling sprint from Prosper Obah. The Nigerian winger raced down the right flank at blistering speed, leaving several opponents behind, but failed to pick out an accurate pass into the penalty area, where three teammates were ready to finish. Nevertheless, the Orange-and-Blacks managed to double their lead before half-time: In the 36th minute, Nazaryna delivered an excellent free-kick into the box, and Valerii Bondar got ahead of his marker to head the ball into the bottom-left corner, making it 2-0. Only then did the visitors register their only dangerous shot on target, but Riznyk dealt with Rukhadze’s long-ranger.
Second half brought chances for the hosts and a goal for the visitors
Shakhtar continued to push forward after the break, with Vinicius Tobias narrowly missing the far corner with a long-range effort before the persistent Bruninho fired narrowly wide of the post from the right side of the penalty area. In the 58th minute, the Miners made their first substitutions, bringing on Matviienko, Mendoza and Traore. Kryskiv also came close when his effort from outside the penalty area flew inches over the top corner. Traore and Isaque then had chances to score during a quick counter-attack, but neither managed to find the net. The Orange-and-Blacks appeared to have the game firmly under control, but the visitors managed to pull a goal back in the 84th minute. After winning possession in midfield, Tahiri unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area into the top left corner. However, Kolos were reduced to ten men in the 90th minute when Tsurikov received a second yellow card for a foul on Bruninho, allowing the Pitmen to hold on for the required result.
2-1 – Shakhtar beat Kolos to maintain their lead in the UPL table.
Arda Turan’s side will play their next fixture on Wednesday, October 21. Shakhtar will face Italian side Inter away on the UEFA Champions League league phase MD3. The match will take place at the Stadio San Siro in Milan, with kickoff scheduled for 21:00 local time (22:00 Kyiv time).
Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 (2-0) Kolos Kovalivka
Lviv, Arena Lviv, att.: 3,288
Goals: 1-0 Vinicius Tobias (11′), 2-0 Bondar (36′), 2-1 Tahiri (84′)
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Vinicius Tobias, Bondar (c), Matturro (Matviienko, 58′), Karavaiev, Nazaryna, Kryskiv (Ocheretko, 86′), Isaque (Pedrinho, 71), Prosper (Mendoza, 58′), Bruninho, Meirelles (Traore, 58′)
Sending-off: Tsurikov (90′, second booking)
The ceremonial kick-off was taken by Police Sergeant Yurii Seifulin, call sign Seif, a serviceman of the KORD Special Purpose Police Battalion (Rifle Unit) of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Lviv Oblast. For 13 years, he has dedicated himself to serving and defending Ukraine, its freedom and independence. In January 2026, he sustained a serious injury while carrying out a combat mission in the Kostiantynivka sector. We thank Yurii for his courage, dedication to Ukraine and service in the cause of its future!
Defenders Vinicius Tobias and Bondar scored to make it two
Both teams made a lively start and created plenty of chances in the opening minutes. Bruninho made his way down the right flank and shot from a tight angle towards the near post, but the goalkeeper saved. After a corner, Meirelles had a shot from the centre of the penalty area but failed to make proper contact with the ball. Kolos responded with Salabai through on goal, but Riznyk denied him. Shakhtar took the lead on the counter-attack that followed: in the 11th minute, Vinicius Tobias received the ball on the left flank and fired it inside the near post from almost the corner of the penalty area to make it 1-0. A few minutes later, the hosts had a great chance to extend their lead. Kryskiv’s header from inside the six-yard box came back off the crossbar, while Meirelles hit the left post on the rebound. The tempo dropped slightly midway through the first half, with the main highlight of that spell being a dazzling sprint from Prosper Obah. The Nigerian winger raced down the right flank at blistering speed, leaving several opponents behind, but failed to pick out an accurate pass into the penalty area, where three teammates were ready to finish. Nevertheless, the Orange-and-Blacks managed to double their lead before half-time: In the 36th minute, Nazaryna delivered an excellent free-kick into the box, and Valerii Bondar got ahead of his marker to head the ball into the bottom-left corner, making it 2-0. Only then did the visitors register their only dangerous shot on target, but Riznyk dealt with Rukhadze’s long-ranger.
Second half brought chances for the hosts and a goal for the visitors
Shakhtar continued to push forward after the break, with Vinicius Tobias narrowly missing the far corner with a long-range effort before the persistent Bruninho fired narrowly wide of the post from the right side of the penalty area. In the 58th minute, the Miners made their first substitutions, bringing on Matviienko, Mendoza and Traore. Kryskiv also came close when his effort from outside the penalty area flew inches over the top corner. Traore and Isaque then had chances to score during a quick counter-attack, but neither managed to find the net. The Orange-and-Blacks appeared to have the game firmly under control, but the visitors managed to pull a goal back in the 84th minute. After winning possession in midfield, Tahiri unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area into the top left corner. However, Kolos were reduced to ten men in the 90th minute when Tsurikov received a second yellow card for a foul on Bruninho, allowing the Pitmen to hold on for the required result.
2-1 – Shakhtar beat Kolos to maintain their lead in the UPL table.
Arda Turan’s side will play their next fixture on Wednesday, October 21. Shakhtar will face Italian side Inter away on the UEFA Champions League league phase MD3. The match will take place at the Stadio San Siro in Milan, with kickoff scheduled for 21:00 local time (22:00 Kyiv time).
Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 (2-0) Kolos Kovalivka
Lviv, Arena Lviv, att.: 3,288
Goals: 1-0 Vinicius Tobias (11′), 2-0 Bondar (36′), 2-1 Tahiri (84′)
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Vinicius Tobias, Bondar (c), Matturro (Matviienko, 58′), Karavaiev, Nazaryna, Kryskiv (Ocheretko, 86′), Isaque (Pedrinho, 71), Prosper (Mendoza, 58′), Bruninho, Meirelles (Traore, 58′)
Sending-off: Tsurikov (90′, second booking)
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