Real Madrid left shellshocked by depleted Shakhtar

Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior challenges Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian midfielder Dodo (L) during the UEFA Champions League group B football match between Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Valdebebas on the outskirts of Madrid on October 21, 2020. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP)

MADRID—Shakhtar Donetsk pulled off a shock 3-2 win away to 13-times winners Real Madrid in their Champions League Group B opener on Wednesday, despite the Ukrainian side missing 10 players due to injuries and COVID-19.

Shakhtar raced into a 3-0 lead after a whirlwind first half with a strike from Brazilian midfielder Tete in the 29th minute, an own goal from Madrid defender Raphael Varane four minutes later and a well-taken effort from Israeli forward Manor Solomon.

Luka Modric pulled one back for Zinedine Zidane’s shellshocked side with a brilliant strike from distance early in the second half before substitute Vinicius Jr reduced the deficit to one goal.

Federico Valverde thought he had equalized in added time with a heavily deflected shot but the goal was ruled out for offside as Vinicius was blocking the vision of goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin and the depleted visitors celebrated one of their most memorable victories in European competition.

La Liga champions Madrid, meanwhile, reflected on a second consecutive home defeat after losing 1-0 at their Alfredo di Stefano stadium to promoted Cadiz on Saturday, further denting their confidence ahead of the ‘Clasico’ at Barcelona in three days’ time.

“In the first half we were not worthy of this competition,” said Madrid midfielder Modric.

“It’s obvious we need to improve, we lacked confidence today, especially in the first half, but we have to move on, we can’t waste any time regretting what has happened.”

Coach Zidane had insisted ahead of the game that he was not looking to the trip to Barca’s Camp Nou but rested several big names against Shakhtar, choosing not to risk captain Sergio Ramos and starting without Toni Kroos and attacking talisman Karim Benzema.

Numerous COVID-19 cases

Shakhtar’s Portuguese coach Luis Castro meanwhile had described the numerous positive COVID-19 cases affecting his staff and squad as a “nightmare” but watched on in admiration as his players out-witted and out-ran their more illustrious opponents.

Viktor Korniienko zig-zagged his way through Madrid’s defense to lay the ball off for Tete to slot past an outstretched Thibaut Courtois for the opening goal.

Courtois did manage to parry a shot moments later but teammate Varane stabbed the loose ball into his own net, committing his latest Champions League howler after gifting Manchester City two goals in last season’s last-16 tie.

Zidane turned to Benzema immediately after the interval and Vinicius soon after and his side finally showed some character and moved to within one goal of leveling the match.

They looked to have found it through Valverde’s deflected shot, which trickled into the net but Shakhtar, who had spurned two glorious earlier chances to put the game out of Madrid’s reach, were spared.

“I think Madrid underestimated us but we showed our football and our style,” said Shakhtar’s Korniienko.

Coach Castro added: “We were a united team from the first until the last minute. When the score was 3-2 we had to defend even more and I thought ‘Oh, let this game end as soon as possible’. It’s a great result for us.”