La Liga giants Real Madrid snatched a point from Shakthar Donetsk in their last UEFA Champions League match.
It was the German defender Antonio Rudiger who scored the equalizer in the last minute for the Whites. Meanwhile, Oleksandr Zubkov gave Shakhtar the lead earlier.
Before the game, Real Madrid had nine points from their first two games. They needed a win to qualify for the UEFA Champions League round of 16. However, So Ancelotti’s team was aiming for its fourth consecutive win in European competition.
With Courtois still out due to injury, Andriy Lunin started in the white goal. Lucas Vazquez, Rudiger, Nacho and Ferland Mendy started in the four-man defense. Aurelien Tchouameni and Toni Kroos played at the base of midfield while Eden Hazard was ranked number 10. Rodrygo started down the left flank and Federico Valverde paired him up on the right. Captain Karim Benzema was in charge of leading the first line.
Real Madrid made a great start to the game and created many opportunities for their forwards. His first big chance fell to Karim Benzema in the 18th minute. Benzema, who has been lethal in front of goal in recent seasons, failed to score from close range.
In the 36th minute, the Frenchman saw his low shot saved by Shaltar Keeper Anatolli Trubin. After that, within a minute, Trubin made another fantastic save and kept Brazilian striker Rodrygo from scoring.
Trubin then saved a brilliant long ranger from Federico Valverde that ensured both teams returned to the locker room without scoring a goal.
Then, just after the restart, Shakhtar took the lead when Bogdan Mykhaylichenko found Oleksandr Zublov in the box. Zubkov, who was unmarked at the time, scored the first goal of the match.
Shakhtar could have doubled their lead in the 65th minute when Lassino Traore found himself in the six-yard box. Unfortunately for the home side, however, the striker’s shot missed the target.
Shortly after, Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin managed to deny Zubkov and kept the Whites in the game. Shakhtar’s pressure was intense.
Madrid showed some flashes when Vinicius entered the game. However, the Brazilian’s shot went over the crossbar.
Then, in the final minute of added time, Antonio Rudiger scored from a perfect long ball from Tony Kroos to help Madrid take a match point.
With the victory, Real Madrid remains at the top of the table after adding ten points in the four games. They will now face arch-rival Barcelona in the next match.
