The Shakhtar players qualified for the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference League after they played 2:2 against Alkmaar in the return match in Alkmaar, thus preserving the big advantage from the first game (3:0).
Although it was already clear after the first match that the Ukrainians were within reach of the placement, Alisson Santana’s goal in the 58th minute, which gave Shakhtar a 1:0 lead, brought additional security. The action started from a quick counterattack, and Santana beat the home goalkeeper with a precise shot.
Alkmaar managed to fight back at the end of the match. First, Isak Jensen equalized from a free kick in the 73rd minute, and only seven minutes later, Matej Šin brought the home team back. However, the final 2:2 was made by Luca Meirelles in the 83rd minute.
With this result, Shakhtar reached the first semifinal of a European competition since 2020, when they were eliminated from Inter Milan in the UEFA semifinals.
The Ukrainian team, which has been playing home games outside of its country for a long time due to wartime circumstances, continues the continuity of good performances on the European stage. Let us remind you that they achieved their greatest success in 2009 by winning the UEFA Cup.
In the semi-finals, Shakhtar will play against the better of the two-leg match between Fiorentina and Crystal Palace, where the English team has a big advantage from the first leg.
In other matches of the evening, AEK Atena and Rayo Vallecano meet, while Strasbourg tries to make up for the gap against Mainz.
(Vijesti.ba)
