“Pedrinho breaks the deadlock with a spectacular left-footed strike from outside the box into the top left corner, finally rewarding Shakhtar's patient build-up play”
Pivotal“Alisson doubles Shakhtar's advantage with a well-placed left-footed finish from the center of the box following a corner, capitalizing on AZ's defensive vulnerability from set pieces”
Pivotal“Alisson completes his brace just two minutes later with another left-footed effort from the center of the box, effectively killing the tie as a contest”
Pivotal
Shakhtar Donetsk
AZ
Outstanding performance
Shakhtar Donetsk•MidfielderShakhtar Donetsk delivered a commanding performance in the first leg of their Europa Conference League tie, overwhelming AZ with a devastating nine-minute second-half blitz. After a cagey first half that saw an early injury-forced substitution, the match exploded into life when Pedrinho broke the deadlock with a stunning left-footed strike from outside the box into the top corner. Alisson then took center stage, capitalizing on set-piece situations to score twice in quick succession and put Shakhtar in complete control. Despite relatively even possession (51-49%) and shot tallies, Shakhtar's clinical finishing and dominance in dangerous attacks (61 to AZ's 29) proved decisive, giving them a commanding advantage heading into the second leg in the Netherlands.
Oleh Ocheretko's right-footed shot from the left side of the box is saved.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Sven Mijnans from AZ.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 4 minutes of added time.
Substitution for Shakhtar Donetsk: Yukhym Konoplia comes on for Alisson Santana.
Substitution for Shakhtar Donetsk: Yehor Nazaryna comes on for Pedrinho.
Offside called against AZ. Ro-Zangelo Daal is caught offside.
Mexx Meerdink's left-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked. Ro-Zangelo Daal provided the assist with a cross.
assist: Eguinaldo
Goal! Alisson Santana scores for Shakhtar Donetsk with a left-footed shot from the center of the box. The score is now 3-0.
Goal! Alisson Santana scores for Shakhtar Donetsk with a left-footed shot from the center of the box after a corner. The score is now 2-0 against AZ.
Shakhtar Donetsk win a corner after Ayoub Oufkir concedes.
Eguinaldo's left-footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Pedrinho.
Sven Mijnans' left-footed shot from the right side of the box is saved by Dmytro Riznyk in the top center of the goal.
Sven Mijnans' left-footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top center of the goal.
AZ wins a corner after Valerii Bondar concedes.
Mees de Wit from AZ wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul committed by Alisson Santana of Shakhtar Donetsk.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Sven Mijnans from AZ.
AZ wins a corner after Vinícius Tobias concedes.
Sven Mijnans from AZ has a left-footed shot from the left side of the box, but it is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Mexx Meerdink with a headed pass.
Substitution for Shakhtar Donetsk: Lassina Traoré comes on for Kauã Elias.
Substitution for AZ: Mexx Meerdink comes on for Troy Parrott.
Substitution for Shakhtar Donetsk: Eguinaldo comes on for Newerton.
Substitution for AZ: Ayoub Oufkir comes on for Weslley Patati.
Goal! Shakhtar Donetsk leads 1-0 against AZ as Pedrinho scores with a left-footed shot from outside the box into the top left corner.
Artem Bondarenko's left-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Vinícius Tobias.
Mees de WitYellow CardMees de Wit from AZ receives a yellow card for a foul.
Oleh Ocheretko from Shakhtar Donetsk wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul committed by Mees de Wit of AZ.
Foul committed by Alisson Santana of Shakhtar Donetsk.
Elijah Dijkstra from AZ wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Weslley Patati of AZ.
Pedro Henrique from Shakhtar Donetsk wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Pedro HenriqueYellow CardPedro Henrique of Shakhtar Donetsk receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Elijah Dijkstra from AZ wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Elijah Dijkstra from AZ wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Pedro Henrique of Shakhtar Donetsk.
Foul committed by Kauã Elias of Shakhtar Donetsk.
Billy van Duijl from AZ wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Kauã Elias from Shakhtar Donetsk has his right-footed shot from the center of the box saved by Jeroen Zoet in the top center of the goal. The attempt was assisted by Pedrinho.
Substitution for AZ: Ro-Zangelo Daal comes on for Ibrahim Sadiq.
Substitution for AZ: Ro-Zangelo Daal comes on for Ibrahim Sadiq.
Shakhtar Donetsk wins a corner after Billy van Duijl concedes.
Weslley Patati's left-footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the center of the goal by Dmytro Riznyk. The attempt was assisted by Sven Mijnans.
Pedrinho from Shakhtar Donetsk hits the bar with a left-footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the right from a direct free kick.
Alexandre PenetraYellow CardAlexandre Penetra from AZ receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul committed by Alexandre Penetra of AZ.
Alisson Santana from Shakhtar Donetsk wins a free kick on the right wing.
The second half begins with the match score at 0-0.
Substitution for AZ: Elijah Dijkstra comes on for Seiya Maikuma.
The first half ends with the score at Shakhtar Donetsk 0, AZ 0.
Alisson Santana from Shakhtar Donetsk wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Ibrahim Sadiq of AZ.
Foul committed by Weslley Patati of AZ.
Pedro Henrique of Shakhtar Donetsk wins a free kick on the left wing.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be 3 minutes of added time.
Attempt saved. Alisson Santana's left-footed shot from outside the box is saved.
Shakhtar Donetsk win a corner after Wouter Goes concedes.
Offside against Shakhtar Donetsk. Pedro Henrique is flagged for offside.
Attempt missed by Ibrahim Sadiq of AZ, who took a right-footed shot from outside the box.
Shakhtar Donetsk win a corner after Mees de Wit concedes.
Weslley Patati from AZ commits a handball.
Weslley Patati from AZ commits a handball.
AZ wins a corner after Vinícius Tobias concedes.
Foul committed by Pedrinho of Shakhtar Donetsk.
Foul by Pedrinho - Shakhtar Donetsk
Ibrahim Sadiq from AZ wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul committed by Vinícius Tobias of Shakhtar Donetsk.
Substitution for Shakhtar Donetsk: Artem Bondarenko comes on for Isaque due to an injury.
Weslley Patati from AZ wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul committed by Pedro Henrique of Shakhtar Donetsk.
Foul committed by Weslley Patati of AZ.
Alisson Santana from Shakhtar Donetsk wins a free kick in the attacking half.
AZ wins a corner after Pedro Henrique concedes.
Foul committed by Vinícius Tobias of Shakhtar Donetsk.
Ibrahim Sadiq of AZ wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul committed by Valerii Bondar of Shakhtar Donetsk.
Troy Parrott wins a free kick in the defensive half for AZ.
Foul committed by Pedro Henrique of Shakhtar Donetsk.
Foul committed by Pedro Henrique of Shakhtar Donetsk.
Kees Smit from AZ is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Ibrahim Sadiq from AZ misses the attempt with a right-footed shot from outside the box that goes too high. Seiya Maikuma provided the assist with a cross after a corner.
AZ wins a corner after Pedrinho concedes.
Shakhtar Donetsk wins a corner after Troy Parrott concedes.
AZ wins a corner after Valerii Bondar concedes.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Isaque from Shakhtar Donetsk.
AZ wins a corner after Valerii Bondar concedes.
How entertaining was this match?
Shakhtar Donetsk host AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League quarter-final first leg, with the Ukrainian side looking to make history as the first Ukrainian team to reach the semi-finals. Both teams carry intriguing form into this pivotal knockout clash.
