In the third group stage match of the Champions League, Donetsk Shakhtar lost to Madrid Real at the Santiago Bernabéu.

In previous matches in the CL, the miners secured a bright away victory over Leipzig (4:1) and drew with Celtic (1:1). Now, Igor Jovic's charges faced a test against the reigning champion of Europe — Real. Both teams fielded 12 Ukrainians in their starting lineups — 11 players from Shakhtar and Lunsik, who replaced injured Courtois in goal for the Royal Club.

In the first half, the hosts dominated on the pitch and quickly took the lead. On the 13th minute, Rodrigo passed through Stepakhnenko centrally and scored from inside the penalty area past Trubin. Later, the Shakhtar goalkeeper saved Benzema's shot into the far corner. However, at the 28-minute mark, Madrid doubled their advantage after a fine combination play involving Benzema – Rodrigo – Vinícius.

Photo uefa.com

After that, Real could have made the scoreline more decisive, but Valverde, Vinícius, and Benzema failed to capitalize. Trubin, defenders, or goal size stood in their way. Surprisingly, just before halftime, Shakhtar managed to narrow the deficit by one goal. Mudryk passed to Mikhailichenko on the flank, while Zubkov converted Bogdan's cross into a goal with an incredible scissors kick.

At the start of the second half, Real made several attempts at goal, including Trubin reacting to Valverde’s powerful shot from outside the penalty area. The miners responded with Mudryk’s breakaway into the box, but Mikhail was denied a chance to shoot. On the 64th minute, Rodrigo exchanged passes with Benzema and had an open shot — Trubin saved it. In the next attack, Vinícius missed Shakhtar again, shooting over from a penalty spot.

Photo uefa.com

Towards the end of the match, the hosts were closer to scoring. Trubin saved Vinícius's shot, Benzema missed wide from a close range, and then another attempt by Karim was parried away by the miners' goalkeeper. In added time, Asensio hit the post after a deflection off Jurasek. Ultimately, the Ukrainian team failed to change the score — 2:1.

In Shakhtar's lineup for the match were players who had been called up for the latest national team training camp: Trubin, Bondar (yellow card), Matviyenko, Mikhailichenko (assist), Stepakhnenko (substituted in 88th minute), Mudryk (yellow card), Zubkov (goal, substituted in 67th minute). The Ukrainian national team goalkeeper Lunin played the full match for Real.

Champions League. Group Stage. Group F

Matchday 3

Real (Spain) — Shakhtar (Ukraine) — 2:1 (2:1)

Goals: Rodrigo (13), Vinícius Junior (28) — Zubkov (39).

Real: Lunin, Carvajal, Milito, Alaba, Mendy, Valverde, Camení (Camavinga, 75), Kroos, Rodrigo (Asensio, 80), Benzema (captain), Vinícius Junior.

Substitutes: Lopes, Canizares, Vallejo, Nacho, Azar, Modric, Odriozola, Vazquez, Rudiger, Diaz.

Coach: Karlos Ancelotti.

Shakhtar: Trubin, Konoplya, Bondar, Matviyenko, Mikhailichenko, Stepakhnenko (captain) (Traore, 88), Shved (Petryak, 67), Bondarenko, Sudakov (Jurasek, 88), Mudryk, Zubkov (Sikan, 67).

Substitutes: Shevchenko, Pyatov, Krivtsov, Kryskiv, Topalov, Taylor, Ocheretnyk, Kozik.

Coach: Igor Jovic.

Referee: Ivan Krushlyak (Slovakia).

Yellow cards: Bondar (55), Mudryk (90+2).

October 5. Madrid. Santiago Bernabéu.

Leipzig (Germany) — Celtic (Scotland) — 3:1 (1:0)

Standings

Matchday 4

October 11, 2022

Celtic — Leipzig (22.00)

Shakhtar — Real (22.00)