Match report
Saturday, October 24, 2026
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Shakhtar hosted Zorya on the UPL MD10
Head coach of the Orange-and-Blacks Arda Turan fielded the following starting line-up for the game: Riznyk played in goal, Matviienko and Ghram operated at centre-back, Karavaiev and Pedro Henrique appeared as full-backs, Nazaryna, Kryskiv and Isaque formed the midfield, Newertton and Bruninho were deployed as wingers, with Traore performing as a centre forward.
The ceremonial kick-off was taken by Stanislav Protsenko, a Ukrainian Armed Forces veteran and reconnaissance soldier in the 132nd Separate Reconnaissance Battalion of the Air Assault Forces. He took part in the battles for the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhodar, as well as fierce fighting in Vuhledar, Soledar, Marinka and Bakhmut, where he sustained a serious injury during a mortar attack. The soldier has received the For the Defence of Ukraine, No Right to Glory – For the Glory of the State and Combatant’s Cross awards. Since March 2025, Stanislav has been a Shakhtar Stalevi player, an amputee football team established by FC Shakhtar for military personnel and civilians with limb amputations. With the Miners, he won bronze at the inaugural Ukrainian Amputee Football Championship and reached the final of the inaugural Ukrainian Cup.
First half – in control but goalless
From the start, the Miners enjoyed a significant territorial and playing advantage, but their opponents were well organised defensively, meeting the Donetsk side in midfield and making it as difficult as possible for them to advance into the final third. The hosts persistently searched for openings, and in one incident, following a dangerous cross from Isaque, Saputin almost turned the ball into his own net. Fortunately for him, it went just wide of the post. Midway through the half, the Luhansk outfit had one of their few chances when Budkivskyi met a cross from a teammate on the wing and fired over the bar from the centre of the penalty area. Towards the end of the first half, Traore had a dangerous shot blocked before Ghram fired over the bar from the right side of the penalty area.
Plenty of chances, but none converted
At half-time, Arda Turan made three substitutions at once, bringing on Marlon Gomes, Prosper Obah and Alisson. The second half began with Shakhtar launching wave after wave of attacks, with the visitors’ penalty area coming under intense pressure at times. Karavaiev had a great chance in the 60th minute, but his powerful effort from the corner of the six-yard box struck the crossbar. The hosts then created a superb double chance: Nazaryna struck the crossbar with a free-kick and Prosper followed up, only for Saputin to produce an incredible save to keep the ball out from under the bar. The Miners’ pressure showed no signs of letting up, and Pedro Henrique then tried to turn the ball into the net from close range with a swivelled shot, but Kucherenko came to the goalkeeper’s rescue at the last moment, clearing the ball behind for a corner. In the closing stages, the Pitmen’s coaching staff bolstered the attack by bringing on Meirelles and Kaua Elias. In the final minute of normal time, the Orange-and-Blacks had a chance to snatch victory. Following a corner, Marlon Gomes fired a low shot that was blocked by the defenders. Kaua Elias then had two close-range attempts on the rebound, but Zorya players threw themselves in front of both efforts. A late onslaught in stoppage time also failed to produce a breakthrough. 0-0 – a draw between Shakhtar and Zorya.
Arda Turan’s side will play their next match on Tuesday, October 27. In the Ukrainian Cup Round of 16, Shakhtar will host Dynamo at the Arena Lviv. Kickoff is at 18:00. Tickets for the Ukrainian Clasico are on sale.
Shakhtar Donetsk 0-0 (0-0) Zorya Luhansk
Lviv, Arena Lviv, att.: 3,307
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Karavaiev, Ghram (Meirelles, 85′), Matviienko (c), Pedro Henrique, Nazaryna, Kryskiv (Marlon Gomes, 46′), Isaque (Prosper, 46′), Newertton, Bruninho (Alisson, 46′), Traore (Kaua Elias, 85′)
The ceremonial kick-off was taken by Stanislav Protsenko, a Ukrainian Armed Forces veteran and reconnaissance soldier in the 132nd Separate Reconnaissance Battalion of the Air Assault Forces. He took part in the battles for the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhodar, as well as fierce fighting in Vuhledar, Soledar, Marinka and Bakhmut, where he sustained a serious injury during a mortar attack. The soldier has received the For the Defence of Ukraine, No Right to Glory – For the Glory of the State and Combatant’s Cross awards. Since March 2025, Stanislav has been a Shakhtar Stalevi player, an amputee football team established by FC Shakhtar for military personnel and civilians with limb amputations. With the Miners, he won bronze at the inaugural Ukrainian Amputee Football Championship and reached the final of the inaugural Ukrainian Cup.
First half – in control but goalless
From the start, the Miners enjoyed a significant territorial and playing advantage, but their opponents were well organised defensively, meeting the Donetsk side in midfield and making it as difficult as possible for them to advance into the final third. The hosts persistently searched for openings, and in one incident, following a dangerous cross from Isaque, Saputin almost turned the ball into his own net. Fortunately for him, it went just wide of the post. Midway through the half, the Luhansk outfit had one of their few chances when Budkivskyi met a cross from a teammate on the wing and fired over the bar from the centre of the penalty area. Towards the end of the first half, Traore had a dangerous shot blocked before Ghram fired over the bar from the right side of the penalty area.
Plenty of chances, but none converted
At half-time, Arda Turan made three substitutions at once, bringing on Marlon Gomes, Prosper Obah and Alisson. The second half began with Shakhtar launching wave after wave of attacks, with the visitors’ penalty area coming under intense pressure at times. Karavaiev had a great chance in the 60th minute, but his powerful effort from the corner of the six-yard box struck the crossbar. The hosts then created a superb double chance: Nazaryna struck the crossbar with a free-kick and Prosper followed up, only for Saputin to produce an incredible save to keep the ball out from under the bar. The Miners’ pressure showed no signs of letting up, and Pedro Henrique then tried to turn the ball into the net from close range with a swivelled shot, but Kucherenko came to the goalkeeper’s rescue at the last moment, clearing the ball behind for a corner. In the closing stages, the Pitmen’s coaching staff bolstered the attack by bringing on Meirelles and Kaua Elias. In the final minute of normal time, the Orange-and-Blacks had a chance to snatch victory. Following a corner, Marlon Gomes fired a low shot that was blocked by the defenders. Kaua Elias then had two close-range attempts on the rebound, but Zorya players threw themselves in front of both efforts. A late onslaught in stoppage time also failed to produce a breakthrough. 0-0 – a draw between Shakhtar and Zorya.
Arda Turan’s side will play their next match on Tuesday, October 27. In the Ukrainian Cup Round of 16, Shakhtar will host Dynamo at the Arena Lviv. Kickoff is at 18:00. Tickets for the Ukrainian Clasico are on sale.
Shakhtar Donetsk 0-0 (0-0) Zorya Luhansk
Lviv, Arena Lviv, att.: 3,307
Shakhtar: Riznyk, Karavaiev, Ghram (Meirelles, 85′), Matviienko (c), Pedro Henrique, Nazaryna, Kryskiv (Marlon Gomes, 46′), Isaque (Prosper, 46′), Newertton, Bruninho (Alisson, 46′), Traore (Kaua Elias, 85′)
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