Shakhtar Donetsk made a highly encouraging return to the Champions League, holding Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven to a 1-1 draw away from home. Despite entering the match as underdogs, the Ukrainian side matched their hosts for long spells and showed they have every reason to be optimistic about their European campaign.

Shakhtar produced an outstanding first-half performance, using a compact pressing structure to frustrate one of the most prolific attacking sides in the Netherlands. PSV tried to make an early impact, with Ivan Perisic sending a dangerous effort narrowly over the crossbar. From there, however, the game settled into a tight tactical battle, with Shakhtar increasingly taking control of possession and preventing the hosts from raising the tempo.

The real shock for PSV came just before half-time. Marlon Gomes won the ball cleanly in midfield before Gleiker Mendoza picked it up on the left side of the penalty area. The Shakhtar forward made no mistake with his finish, sending a precise shot into the far bottom corner to put the visitors ahead. The VAR team confirmed there had been no infringement in the build-up, and Shakhtar went into the break 1-0 up.

Unfortunately for the Ukrainian side, their lead lasted barely two minutes after the restart. In the 47th minute, Shakhtar failed to deal with the danger inside their own penalty area, leaving the space around the edge of the six-yard box exposed while focusing too heavily on the goalmouth. Sergino Dest took full advantage, finding the net despite the desperate efforts of Ocheretko to intervene.

The equaliser lifted the confidence of the Dutch champions, who spent the next 10 to 15 minutes pushing Shakhtar deep into their own half. Yet, just as they had done before the break, the visitors gradually managed to absorb the pressure and slow the game down. Both teams created one late opening in the final five minutes. Pedro Henrique attempted to curl the ball into the far top corner from a tight angle, while, deep into stoppage time, an error from goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk gave PSV a dangerous free-kick opportunity. Fortunately for Shakhtar, experienced forward Ivan Perisic sent his effort over the crossbar.

The final score was 1-1. Just as they did two years ago, Shakhtar Donetsk have opened their Champions League campaign with an away draw. But the similarities largely end there. This time, the Ukrainian champions looked far more confident, disciplined and capable of competing at this level.

2026-27, Champions League

PSV Eindhoven - Shakhtar 1:1 (0:1)
Goals: Mendoza G., 45 (0:1); Dest S., 49 (1:1)

PSV Eindhoven: Kovar M.; Geertruida; Dest S.; Obispo; Sano; Kostić F. (Flamingo, 68); Perišić I.; Til G.; van Bommel R.; Wanner P.; Pepi (Mijnans, 83)
Substitution: Flamingo (from 68); Mijnans (from 83)
Bench: Olij; Smolenaars; Gasiorowski; Merién; Santos A-i; Fernandez Noah; Bajraktarević; Bouhamdi; Man D.
Yellow Cards: Obispo 56; van Bommel R. 65; Dest S. 81

Shakhtar: Riznyk D.; Vinicius Т.; Pedrinho A.; Matviyenko; Bondar V.; Ocheretko; Alisson Santana (Lucas Ferreira, 89); Mendoza G. (Newerton, 66); Marlon Gomes; Isaque (Kryskiv, 89); Kauã Elias (Traoré Las., 66)
Substitution: Newerton (from 66); Traoré Las. (from 66); Kryskiv (from 89); Lucas Ferreira (from 89)
Bench: Fesiun; Ghram; Azarov I.; Karavayev; Tsukanov; Carvalho; Nazaryna; Luca Meirelles
Yellow Cards: Vinicius Т. 35; Mendoza G. 47; Pedrinho A. 55; Bondar V. 63; Kryskiv 90; Marlon Gomes 91