Shakhtar Narrowing the Gap: A Dramatic Win Over Zorya
Ukrainian Premier League Showdown
Well, well, well! If it isn’t Shakhtar Donetsk, the team that loves to keep things exciting—at least for their fans’ hearts. In a stunning **13th round matchup** of the Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) for the 2024/25 season, they defeated Zorya Luhansk 3-1 at the Arena Lviv. The kind of match that could make a statue weep—if only statues had feelings, right?
Let’s break down the sheer drama, shall we? By half-time, Zorya was ahead, leaving fans thinking they might actually have a chance of pulling off an upset. In the 37th minute, **Oleksandr Yatsyk** struck like a bolt from the blue, unleashing a powerful shot from just inside the penalty area that found its way into the far corner like it was looking for a cozy autumn evening in Lviv.
But let’s not get too comfortable sipping tea over Zorya’s lead, because the second half was a different story! Shakhtar came out swinging—not quite like a heavyweight but maybe more like a middleweight with aspirations. In the 51st minute, **Artem Bondarenko** levelled the score by converting a penalty. Cue the groans from the Zorya supporters, “Not like this!” Meanwhile, Bondarenko was probably thinking, “Get in!” like a kid in a candy store. In less than three minutes, Brazilian flair took center stage as **Kevin** capitalized on a cross from compatriot **Vinicius Tobias**, putting Shakhtar ahead. At this rate, they’ll apply for a circus license with their acrobatics on the field!
Oh, the Humour of Own Goals!
And just when we thought we had seen it all, we were gifted a moment of slapstick comedy worthy of a Laurel and Hardy flick. In the 90+3rd minute, in a classic case of “what were you thinking?”, **Jordan**, Zorya’s Brazilian defender, scored an own goal following a cross from **Oleksandr Zubkov**—a real twist in the tale! If he was trying to make a new fashion statement by defining an own goal as the ‘latest trend’, it didn’t quite work. Perhaps he should stick to defensive moves instead of trying to be the next Picasso!
The League Table: A Tight Race
This win leaves Shakhtar clinging to third place in the UPL table with 26 points, catching up to league leaders **Alexandria** and **Dynamo**, who sit at 32 and 29 points respectively. Can we just pause for a moment? A two-point difference at the top is as tense as a soap opera cliffhanger! Zorya, unfortunately, languishes at 10th with just 15 points. Time to regroup and rethink their strategy before things become even more dramatic in the league!
On to the Next Round
As we gear up for the next round of matches post-international break, Shakhtar will face **Ingulets** on November 23, while Zorya plays against **Polyssia** on November 25. One can only hope Zorya picks themselves up and dusts off the misfortunes of this match—maybe invest in a goalpost on the way?
Final Thoughts
In the world of football, every match is a mix of skill, luck, and a dash of chaos—like a popular stand-up comedy show, just with fewer punchlines and more red cards. Tune in next time for more antics from the UPL, where every match could lead to glorious victories, dramatic downfalls, or downright absurdity! Because let’s face it, in football, as in life, you sometimes just have to laugh at the mess you’ve made!
“Miners” narrowed the gap with “Alexandria” and “Dynamo” in the table of the championship of Ukraine.
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“Miner” beat “Dawn” in the match of the 13th round of the Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) of the 2024/25 season. The match at Arena Lviv ended with a score of 3:1.
After the first half, Lugansk had a minimal advantage in the score – in the 37th minute, Oleksandr Yatsyk hit a powerful shot from the left side of the penalty area into the far “nine”.
At the start of the second half of the meeting, the Donetsk team not only recovered, but also took the lead. In the 51st minute, Artem Bondarenko scored a penalty after Roman Vantukh fouled him in his own penalty area.
And then, in the 54th minute, the Brazilian Kevin blocked a cross from his compatriot Vinicius Tobias from the right wing with an accurate shot.
The end of the match was put in the 90th + 3rd minute, when Jordan, the Brazilian defender of the Luhansk club, scored an own goal, cutting the ball into his own goal after Oleksandr Zubkov’s cross from the right wing.
Overview of the match “Shakhtar” – “Zorya”
After this victory, “Shakhtar” (26 points) remained in third place in the UPL, but moved up to the leaders of the championship “Alexandria” (32 points) and “Dynamo” (29 points), which has a match in reserve. “Zorya” (15 points) is in the tenth position.
In the next UPL round, which will take place after the international break, “Shakhtar” will play “Ingulets” on November 23, and “Zorya” will face “Polyssia” on November 25.
Read also:
Dynamo – Polissia: online video broadcast of the UPL match
“Alexandria” defeated “Karpaty” and single-handedly led the UPL (video)
Ukrainian football players were taken to the TCC before the match
**Interview with Andriy Petrenko, Sports Analyst, on Shakhtar’s Dramatic Win Over Zorya**
**Editor**: Welcome, Andriy! That was quite the matchup between Shakhtar Donetsk and Zorya Luhansk. What were your initial thoughts on the game?
**Andriy Petrenko**: Thank you for having me! It was an exhilarating match, to say the least. Shakhtar showed incredible resilience, especially coming back from a goal down at halftime. It really highlighted their determination and attacking prowess in the second half.
**Editor**: Absolutely! Zorya made a strong start with Oleksandr Yatsyk’s goal. Did you think they could hold on for the win at that point?
**Andriy Petrenko**: There was a moment of real hope for Zorya fans when they went ahead. Yatsyk’s goal was a beauty, and it seemed like they had Shakhtar on the ropes. But knowing Shakhtar, they’re always capable of turning things around, and the second half proved just that.
**Editor**: Artem Bondarenko’s equalizer from the penalty spot felt like a turning point, didn’t it?
**Andriy Petrenko**: Quite right! That penalty was crucial. It not only leveled the scores but also shifted the momentum back to Shakhtar. Bondarenko’s confidence showed through, and shortly after, we saw that quick succession goal by Kevin. It really showcased how quickly things can shift in football!
**Editor**: And then, of course, there was the own goal by Jordan in injury time. What’s your take on that moment?
**Andriy Petrenko**: Oh, football can be cruel and comical at the same time! Own goals are always heartbreaking for the player, but at that moment, it summed up Zorya’s unfortunate luck in this match. It’s definitely something he’ll want to put behind him as they regroup for their next game.
**Editor**: Looking at the table, Shakhtar is now within striking distance of the top teams. How important was this win for them moving forward?
**Andriy Petrenko**: This win is massive for Shakhtar’s confidence and standing in the table. With just a two-point gap between them, Alexandria, and Dynamo, the league title race is heating up, and every point matters. It sets the stage for an exciting finish to the season!
**Editor**: What are your predictions for Shakhtar’s upcoming match against Ingulets?
**Andriy Petrenko**: If they can carry this momentum into their next match, I expect them to be aggressive but also smart in their approach. Ingulets won’t be an easy opponent, but if Shakhtar plays with the same intensity they showed in the second half against Zorya, they’ll likely come out on top.
**Editor**: Great insights, Andriy! Thanks for joining us today, and we look forward to seeing how Shakhtar navigates the rest of the season.
**Andriy Petrenko**: Thank you! Always a pleasure to discuss football, and I can’t wait to see the upcoming matches in the UPL!