UCL: Shakhtar beats Brest and retains its chances of reaching the playoffs

Shakhtar Donetsk won the earliest match in their history - on 22 January the Miners defeated Brest in the Champions League. This means that Marino Pušić's team retains a theoretical chance of qualifying for the play-offs.

The score was opened on 18 minutes, when Chardonnet made a gross error in the centre of the pitch, failing to handle the ball. As a result, Kevin ran from the centre of the field to the opponents' goal and, without getting close to the goalkeeper, shot low - 1:0.

Shakhtar managed to double their advantage close to the end of the first half. Sudakov cut through the Brest defence with a perfect pass - Brest goalkeeper had no time to reach the ball and knocked down Azarov in his own penalty area. Sudakov took the penalty and put the ball in the net with a pananeka shot.

After the break Brest needed to go forward, while Shakhtar focused on defence and relied on counterattacks. It is worth noting Kevin on the left flank, who noticeably added speed to his team. But the Brazilian's shots into the penalty area were always an easy target for the Brest goalkeeper. Riznyk, in turn, had one opportunity to show his skills - Shakhtar goalkeeper kicked the ball out of the net after a free-kick.

At the end, Shakhtar could have brought the game to a 3-0 victory, but VAR referees did not count Zubkov's goal. However, 2-0 is a great result ahead of the decisive game UCL in Dortmund against Borussia.

2024-25 UEFA Champions League

Shakhtar - Brest 2:0 (2:0)
Goals: Kevin, 18 (1:0); Sudakov, 37 (penalty) (2:0)

Shakhtar: Riznyk D.; Azarov I.; Bondar V.; Vinicius Т. (Konoplya, 71); Matviyenko; Kryskiv; Pedrinho (Zubkov, 83); Sudakov (Bondarenko A-m, 83); Kevin; Marlon Gomes (Stepanenko, 71); Eguinaldo (Traoré Las., 55)
Bench: Tvardovskyi; Fesiun; Farina; Nazaryna; Hlushchenko; Newerton; Shved M.
Yellow Cards: Stepanenko 77

Brest: Bizot; Baldé M-a (Salah I., 71); Lala K.; Ndiaye Ab.; Chardonnet B.; Camara M. (Del Castillo, 59); Magnetti; Pereira Lage; Edimilson Fernandes (Coulibaly So., 85); Doumbia K. (Faivre R., 59); Ajorque (Sima A., 59)
Bench: Jauny N.; Coudert; Lees-Melou
Yellow Cards: Ndiaye Ab. 22