Ukrainian minnow upsets Real Madrid
LONDON: Shakhtar Donetsk has pulled off a sensational 32 win away at 13times European champion Real Madrid in their Champions League opener yesterday.
The stunning result came despite the Ukrainian underdogs missing 10 players due to injuries and Covid19.
Real trailed by three goals at halftime and had an equaliser in stoppage time ruled out.
Brazilian midfielder Tete gave Shakhtar the lead in the 29th minute of a whirlwind first half.
The visitors doubled their lead four minutes later when Madrid defender Raphael Varane stabbed into his own net as he tried to clear the ball while Israeli forward Manor Solomon continued the onslaught by firing home shortly before the interval.
Luka Modric pulled one back for Zinedine Zidane’s side with a brilliant strike from distance early in the second half before substitute Vinicius jun reduced the deficit to one goal.
It left the depleted group B visitors celebrating their most memorable victory in European competition.
Liverpool beat Ajax Amsterdam 10 away with a fortunate own goal to take the points in their group D opener.
Ajax fullback Nicolas Tagliafico turned the ball into his own net in the 35th minute to ensure a winning start for the
English champion.
Midtjylland was thumped 40 at home by Atalanta in its group stage debut. Duvan Zapata, Alejandro Gomez, Luis Muriel and Aleksey Miranchuk scored the goals as the Italian visitors cruised to victory in driving rain at the MCH Arena in Herning.
Manchester City came from behind to make a winning start in group C with a 31 victory over Porto at the Etihad Stadium.
Luis Diaz gave Porto a 14thminute lead only for Sergio Aguero to reply from the penalty spot in the 20th after Pepe bundled over Raheem Sterling in the box.
Ilkay Guendogan put City ahead on 65 minutes before substitute Ferran Torres scored in the 73rd.
Winger Kingsley Coman scored twice and set up another goal as holder Bayern Munich crushed Atletico Madrid 40 in group A.
Coman scored the opener on 28 minutes and set up the second for Leon Goretzka in the 41st. Corentin Tolisso made it 30 in the 66th before Coman bagged his second goal of the evening six minutes later.
Inter Milan forward Romelu Lukaku scored twice, including a 90thminute equaliser, as his side snatched a 22 draw at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach in group B.
In group C, Ahmed Hassan came off the bench to score an injurytime goal for Olympiacos in a 10 win over Marseille.
Earlier, Red Bull Salzburg drew 22 with Lokomotiv Moscow in group B. — AAP