Shakhtar Donetsk saw their impressive UEFA Conference League campaign come to an end in London after a 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace, with the semi-final stage once again proving a barrier the Ukrainian side could not overcome.

For the third time in club history, Shakhtar failed to progress beyond a European semi-final, while Crystal Palace moved one step closer to a first-ever continental trophy in what has already become a landmark season for the South London club.

Both managers treated the second leg as one of the defining matches of their campaign. Domestic objectives for both teams had largely been settled, making the opportunity to compete for European silverware impossible to ignore. For Crystal Palace, the occasion carried even greater significance — before this season, the club had never played European football.

There were few surprises in the starting line-ups, with both sides naming identical elevens to those seen a week earlier in Krakow. The pattern of the game also felt familiar. Shakhtar Donetsk enjoyed long spells of possession, but Oliver Glasner once again demonstrated that his Crystal Palace side do not rely on dominating the ball to control matches.

The hosts were organised, aggressive without possession and devastating on the counter-attack — qualities that proved decisive over two legs.

Crystal Palace thought they had taken the lead as early as the 11th minute, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Still, the warning signs were obvious. The move closely resembled the fast, direct attacking patterns that had troubled Shakhtar throughout the first leg.

The breakthrough eventually arrived midway through the first half. Goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk produced an excellent low save to deny Adam Wharton from distance, but the danger was not over. Daniel Munoz drilled the ball back into the area, where an unfortunate deflection off Pedro Henrique sent it into the near corner for an own goal.

The setback left Shakhtar Donetsk needing three goals to force extra time, yet the Ukrainian side responded quickly. Eguinaldo, who has struggled for consistency during the second half of the season, delivered a moment of real quality by curling a superb finish into the top corner from inside the penalty area.

There was hope that head coach Arda Turan would reshape the contest after the interval, but the expected turnaround never arrived. Alisson, whose decision-making had frustrated throughout the opening half, was substituted at the break, although Shakhtar continued to struggle down the right flank.

Defensive problems were further exposed after Ghram replaced the injured Vinicius Tobias. It was from that very side that the decisive moment came, as Ismaila Sarr arrived inside the six-yard box to convert a dangerous low cross and restore Crystal Palace’s advantage.

The goal effectively ended the contest. Shakhtar Donetsk no longer had the energy or belief to mount another comeback, although they at least avoided the type of complete collapse that has haunted previous European exits.

In truth, many observers predicted before the season that the UEFA Conference League would serve as a valuable platform for Shakhtar to develop their squad and improve Ukraine’s UEFA coefficient standing. Next season, the club are expected to return to the UEFA Champions League, where the challenge level will rise dramatically.

2025-26, Conference League

Crystal Palace - Shakhtar 2:1 (1:1)
Goals: Pedrinho A., 25 (own goal) (1:0); Eguinaldo, 34 (1:1); Sarr Is., 52 (2:1)

Crystal Palace: Henderson D.; Muñoz D. (Clyne, 89); Lacroix M.; Canvot; Mitchell T.; Richards Chr.; Wharton A. (Hughes W., 88); Sarr Is.; Pino Y. (Johnson B-n, 78); Kamada (Lerma, 88); Mateta (Strand Larsen, 66)
Substitution: Strand Larsen (from 66); Johnson B-n (from 78); Lerma (from 88); Hughes W. (from 88); Clyne (from 89)
Bench: Matthews Remi; Benitez W.; Riad Chadi; Cardines; Rodney K.; Devenny

Shakhtar: Riznyk D.; Vinicius Т. (Ghram, 28); Pedrinho A.; Matviyenko; Bondar V.; Pedrinho (Lucas Ferreira, 75); Ocheretko (Newerton, 56); Alisson Santana (Isaque, 46); Eguinaldo; Marlon Gomes; Kauã Elias (Traoré Las., 56)
Substitution: Ghram (from 28); Isaque (from 46); Newerton (from 56); Traoré Las. (from 56); Lucas Ferreira (from 75)
Bench: Tvardovskyi; Azarov I.; Kryskiv; Bondarenko A-m; Nazaryna; Prosper; Luca Meirelles
Yellow Cards: Bondar V. 15