Shakhtar Donetsk made an impressive start to the second half of the European season, securing a confident 3–1 away victory against Lech Poznan in the first leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16. The two sides will meet again next week in Krakow, where the Ukrainian club will look to finish the job.

The build-up to the match brought worrying news for Shakhtar Donetsk, as captain Mykola Matviyenko suffered an injury that could also rule him out of upcoming international fixtures. As a result, the experienced Marlon Santos stepped in to anchor the defence. A bigger surprise, however, was the absence of Marlon Gomes from the starting lineup in midfield. The Brazilian eventually came on later and ended up playing a decisive role in the outcome.

Lech Poznan approached the match with confidence. The Polish side had enjoyed a strong start to the second half of their domestic campaign and remain serious contenders in the Ekstraklasa title race. But knockout football in European competitions often exposes differences in class — and that proved to be the case.

In truth, Lech Poznan threatened only briefly during the match. Their most productive spell included a goal from Mikael Ishak and a couple of half-chances. Outside that short period, the contest largely unfolded under the clear control of Shakhtar Donetsk.

The visitors repeatedly exploited the large gaps between Lech Poznan’s defensive and midfield lines. In the 36th minute, Kauan Elias held off two defenders and cleverly waited for support before delivering a brilliant backheel pass into the path of Marlon Gomes. The midfielder raced through on goal and calmly finished into the far bottom corner.

Any tactical adjustments Lech Poznan might have planned during the break were undone early in the second half. Once again, Marlon Gomes drove forward through the centre in a powerful run toward the penalty area. The move did not end with his shot, but the ball quickly reached Kauan Elias, and seconds later Newerton was in position to fire past goalkeeper Bartosz Mrozek and double the lead.

With little to lose, Lech Poznan pushed forward and began leaving space at the back. That should have suited Shakhtar Donetsk, but instead it was the hosts who unexpectedly found a goal. Moments earlier Dmytro Riznyk had produced a superb save to deny Ismael Ba from close range — the first real chance for the Polish side. Shortly afterwards, their second opportunity arrived and Mikael Ishak made it count.

However, any hopes of a late comeback quickly faded. Shakhtar Donetsk struck again on the counterattack, and the highlight of the move was a spectacular overhead kick from Isaque, sealing a memorable away victory.

2025-26, Conference League

Lech - Shakhtar 1:3 (0:1)
Goals: Marlon Gomes, 36 (0:1); Newerton, 48 (0:2); Ishak, 70 (1:2); Isaque, 85 (1:3)

Lech: Mrozek; Pereira J.V.; Gurgul (Moutinho J. B., 61); Monka; Milić A.; Gholizadeh (Walemark, 61); Bengtsson L. (Ouma, 46); Kozubal; Palma (Ismaheel, 61); Ishak; Rodríguez P. (Agnero, 83)
Substitution: Ouma (from 46); Moutinho J. B. (from 61); Walemark (from 61); Ismaheel (from 61); Agnero (from 83)
Bench: Andreev P.; Gumny; Thordarson G.; Skrzypczak
Yellow Cards: Gholizadeh 57; Milić A. 85

Shakhtar: Riznyk D.; Vinicius Т.; Pedrinho A.; Marlon; Bondar V.; Kryskiv (Marlon Gomes, 27; Nazaryna, 74); Pedrinho (Prosper, 89); Ocheretko; Alisson Santana (Lucas Ferreira, 74); Newerton (Isaque, 74); Kauã Elias
Substitution: Marlon Gomes (from 27 till 74); Nazaryna (from 74); Isaque (from 74); Lucas Ferreira (from 74); Prosper (from 89)
Bench: Fesiun; Azarov I.; Konoplya; Bondarenko A-m; Traoré Las.; Shved M.; Luca Meirelles
Yellow Cards: Marlon Gomes 37; Bondar V. 73; Newerton 74; Isaque 90