Audio By Carbonatix
Thirteen-time European Cup winners Real Madrid were handed a humiliating defeat as a shambolic first-half performance was clinically punished by a second-string Shakhtar Donetsk side.
The Ukrainian champions arrived in Madrid without 13 first-team players after 19 positive Covid-19 tests throughout the club left them needing to call up youth-team players.
But Luis Castro's young side were undaunted and swept into an amazing, but thoroughly warranted, 3-0 lead at Real's empty Alfredo di Stefano training ground.
Goals from Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior after the break gave Real hope, but there was no escape for the competition's most decorated side despite a dramatic finale.
Federico Valverde thought he had hit a stoppage-time leveller but after a check at the pitchside monitor referee Srdjan Jovanovic disallowed the goal for offside.
Club legend Zinedine Zidane won the Champions League in each of his first three seasons in charge of Real, but his decision to rest players with next Saturday's El Clasico against Barcelona in mind was a rare, and huge, aberration.
Without captain Sergio Ramos - left in the stands with a knee injury - Real's defence was a mess and could do little to prevent Mateus Tete and Manor Solomon scoring either side of a Raphael Varane own goal.
Former Tottenham midfielder Modric hit a stunning long-range strike to bring a ray of hope and, although Vinicius scored within 15 seconds of coming, on Shakhtar held on for a famous result.
Latest Stories
-
Why Sammy Gyamfi is the Peerless Public Servant of the Year
8 minutes -
Bills Microcredit marks strong 2025 performance with employee awards, 10 vehicles and cash prizes
11 minutes -
Mahama enjoys 67% approval as majority of Ghanaians express optimism – Global InfoAnalytics
23 minutes -
MTN Ghana spreads Y’ello Cheer to Christmas Babies in Savannah Region
23 minutes -
Most Ghanaians say living conditions have improved over the past year – Global InfoAnalytics
38 minutes -
Banks and Telcos respect Only Money, not Customers
41 minutes -
Majority of voters back extension of presidential term to 5 years – Poll
1 hour -
Kennedy Agyapong has what it takes to defeat NDC if he wins NPP primaries – Aide
1 hour -
Ghana’s Extradition Bid for former Finance Minister faces Probable Cause hurdle in US Federal Courts
1 hour -
Benjamin Asare is 70% ready to return – Didi Dramani
1 hour -
GH₵50 fee dispute turns violent as client assaults sex worker in Sekondi
1 hour -
ECG restores electricity credit purchases for MMS-compliant meters
2 hours -
Gender Ministry, SOC-G, validates Non-Profit Organisation Secretariat operational documents
2 hours -
ECG restores power credit purchases for MMS-compliant prepaid meters
2 hours -
Nafan FC crowned champions of inaugural PAJ Foundation giveback tournament
3 hours
