A week after beating Israeli team Maccabi in Tel-Aviv, Ukrainian soccer champion Shakhtar Donetsk seized victory for the second time in Kyiv, opening the way to the UEFA Europa League round of 16.
In the round of 32 of the Europa League, Europe’s second-tier soccer competition, Shakhtar had little opposition. The first game in Israel ended 2:0 in Shakhtar’s favor, while the game in Kyiv was won 1:0, giving the Ukrainian side a commanding advantage.
Despite the score, Shakhtar faced serious opposition. In the first half, Maccabi Tel-Aviv cruised past Ukrainian defense, hitting the crossbar on the 39th minute. Moments later, the goalpost saved Shakhtar from Maccabi’s score. On the 47th minute, Maccabi did eventually score a goal against Shakhtar but the referee denied it due to a prior foul.
In total, Maccabi delivered 14 shots on goal but only one hit the target.
Unlike Maccabi, the Ukrainian side made better use of its scattered opportunities. On the 67th minute, Maccabi’s Israeli winger Tal Ben Haim tripped Shakhtar’s Brazilian winger Tete inside Maccabi’s penalty area. Ukrainian-Brazilian striker Junior Moraes scored the penalty, giving Shakhtar the lead.
Hours after Shakhtar’s victory, Ukrainian vice-champion Dynamo Kyiv beat Belgian Club Brugge 1:0, giving Ukraine two clubs in the Europa League round of 16 for the first time since 2015.
