Donetsk 'Shakhtar' in the second group stage round of the Champions League faced Belgian 'Antwerp' away.

The miners traveled to the home of the Belgian champions. The teams met after both had suffered setbacks in their previous matches: Shakhtar lost to Porto (1:3), and Antwerp fell to Barcelona (0:5).

The match began with a shot from distance by Stepanenko into the crossbar, and just three minutes later the hosts took the lead—Vermeren intercepted the ball in front of the penalty area and passed it to Muja, who outmaneuvered Riznik. Shortly after, Muja missed over the bar, while Janssen's long-range shot hit the post.

Shakhtar responded with a dangerous shot by Stepanenko that was blocked, as well as a corner kick during which Matviyenko failed to close off the far post. Later, Kysilkiv's corner kick tested the goalkeeper. However, the Belgians immediately launched a counterattack that resulted in their second goal. Vermeren passed from midfield to Balikvish, who outmaneuvered Riznik.

The second half began with a goal for Shakhtar. During one attack, Sudakov hit the post, Nazarenko failed to win the ball in close combat against Bute, but Sykan scored anyway. Shortly after, Konoplya made several dangerous runs into the box, but his shots were blocked. Later, Nazarina's long-range shot nearly found the near corner, and Vermeren tested Riznik.

After this, both teams conducted several good attacks, but their shots were blocked by defenders. On the 71st minute, Shakhtar equalized. Rakitskyi executed a dangerous penalty kick, which Balikvish deflected into his own goal. Soon after, Bute made a simple mistake and gifted the ball to Nazarina, who passed it to Sykan for an easy second goal—Shakhtar took the lead.

On the 84th minute, Riznik parried a dangerous shot by Alderweireld from a penalty kick, and Yusuf almost scored near the post. Later, Riznik saved again after an Alderweireld header. In stoppage time, Stepanenko played with his hand in his own penalty area. The ubiquitous Alderweireld took the penalty but missed wide of the goal. Thus, Shakhtar secured a thrilling victory—3:2.

In the match, players called up for the national team's October training camp participated for Shakhtar: Konoplya (yellow card), Matviyenko, Stepanenko, Zubkov, Nazarina (assist), Sudakov.

Champions League. Group stage. Group N

2nd round

'Antwerp' (Belgium) — 'Shakhtar' (Ukraine) — 2:3 (2:0)

Goals: Muja (3), Balikvish (33) — Sykan (48, 76), Rakitskyi (71).

On the 90+7 minute, Alderweireld ('A') missed a penalty kick (wide of goal).

'Antwerp': Bute, Batay, Alderweireld (c), Kulibali, Weindall (Ilenihena, 83), Ekkelenkamp (Valencia, 74), Vermeren, Keita (Yusuf, 83), Muja (van den Bos, 87), Janssen, Balikvish.

Substitutes: de Wolf, Lammens, Kerck, Edjouke.

Coach: Mark van Bommel.

'Shakhtar': Riznik, Konoplya, Rakitskyi, Matviyenko, Azarov, Stepanenko (c), Zubkov, Nazarina, Sudakov, Kysilkiv, Sykan (Shevchuk, 87).

Substitutes: Rudik, Castillo, Eginaldu, Gocholashvili, Kelcey, Chigrinetskyi, Bondarenko, Miroshyi, Ocheretnyk, Kozik.

Referee: Rade Obrenovic (Slovenia).

Yellow cards: Keita (12), Janssen (37), Alderweireld (90+1) — Konoplya (36), Rakitskyi (66), Sykan (82).

4 October. Antwerp. 'Bosuilstadion'.

'Porto' (Portugal) — 'Barcelona' (Spain) — 0:1 (0:1)

Standings

3rd round

25.10.2023

'Barcelona' — 'Shakhtar' (19:45)

'Antwerp' — 'Porto' (22:00)