The new trophy of the Ukrainian Cup will have a fresh name engraved on it this season. Record-holders Shakhtar Donetsk, who have lifted the cup 15 times, were eliminated early after a dramatic 2–1 comeback win by Dynamo Kyiv on Wednesday night.

Fans witnessed two completely different halves — a script that has almost become tradition in recent years when these fierce rivals meet. Shakhtar dominated the opening 45 minutes, taking the lead, only for Dynamo to seize control after the break and turn the match around. Under Marino Pušić last season, the story unfolded similarly, and now Oleksandr Shovkovskyi repeated the same tactical magic against Arda Turan’s men.

The first half was all one-way traffic. Shakhtar fired nine shots, three on target, but couldn’t find the breakthrough — largely thanks to a brilliant display from Ruslan Neshcheret in Dynamo’s goal. Marlon Gomes had the first clear chance on 11 minutes with a header from Pedrinho’s cross, followed shortly by efforts from Konoplia and Luca Meirelles that also went begging. Dynamo, meanwhile, failed to create anything of note — their only attempt, a tame effort from Vladyslav Kabayev on 40 minutes, barely troubled Dmytro Riznyk.

After the interval, Shakhtar finally took the lead. A long-range strike from Pedrinho deflected off Luca Meirelles’ head, completely wrong-footing Neshcheret. At that stage, it seemed only a matter of time before the Donetsk side would seal their dominance — but the match took a stunning turn.

Full credit must go to Dynamo, who came alive in the second half. Suddenly, the roles reversed: Shakhtar began losing possession in dangerous areas, and Kyiv’s attacks grew sharper. The equaliser came in the 72nd minute when Kabayev burst down the right flank and found Andriy Yarmolenko, who coolly slotted home into the far corner — 1–1.

Unlike their opponents, Dynamo Kyiv didn’t settle for the draw. They pressed high, won several corners, and finally completed the turnaround in the 79th minute. Riznyk parried a close-range strike from Volodymyr Brazhko, but Eduardo Guerrero was quickest to react, firing the rebound into the far corner despite Mykola Matviyenko’s desperate challenge.

Shakhtar Donetsk never recovered. Their attack fizzled out, and the team failed to create a single clear chance in the closing minutes — another disappointing performance in what has been a frustrating October. Dynamo Kyiv, meanwhile, continue their campaign on three fronts and gain a vital psychological edge ahead of their upcoming Ukrainian Premier League clash against Shakhtar.

2025-26, Ukraine - Cup

Dynamo - Shakhtar 2:1 (0:0)
Goals: Luca Meirelles, 48 (0:1); Yarmolenko, 72 (1:1); Guerrero E., 79 (2:1)

Dynamo: Neshcheret; Vivcharenko; Popov D. (Thiare, 95); Karavayev (Tymchyk, 85); Mykhavko; Yarmolenko (Guerrero E., 74); Pikhalonok; Buyalskiy; Mykhailenko M. (Brazhko, 46); Shola O.; Kabayev
Substitution: Brazhko (from 46); Guerrero E. (from 74); Tymchyk (from 85); Thiare (from 95)
Bench: Morhun; Ihnatenko Den.; Burtnyk; Zakharchenko; Yatsyk; Rubchynskyi; Blănuță; Torres A.
Yellow Cards: Popov D. 17; Guerrero E. 79

Shakhtar: Riznyk D.; Pedrinho A.; Matviyenko; Bondar V. (Marlon, 86); Konoplya; Pedrinho; Ocheretko (Bondarenko A-m, 86); Eguinaldo; Newerton (Lucas Ferreira, 71); Marlon Gomes (Isaque, 86); Luca Meirelles (Kauã Elias, 71)
Substitution: Lucas Ferreira (from 71); Kauã Elias (from 71); Marlon (from 86); Bondarenko A-m (from 86); Isaque (from 86)
Bench: Fesiun; Vinicius Т.; Ghram; Azarov I.; Farina; Nazaryna; Hlushchenko
Yellow Cards: Konoplya 83