RBL reach UCL last 16 with 4-0 win over Shakhtar
Nkunku scores early opener | Silva doubles lead in second half | Szoboszlai and Olmo put icing on the cake | RBL are heading to last 16
RB Leipzig are through to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 after a dominant 4-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk. An early goal courtesy of Christopher Nkunku allowed Marco Rose’s side to control the game and pick off the home team as they stretched themselves more as times ticked on.
RBL were ahead in the 10th minute when Nkunku slotted home a rebound after Timo Werner’s shot was saved by Trubin. Leipzig controlled the play after taking the lead, without forcing too many goalscoring chances. Shakhtar were kept relatively quiet but came into the game a few minutes before the break. However, Janis Blaswich was only called into action once when he came out of his area to head clear a long ball in the 42nd minute.
As in the first half, Leipzig scored another goal early in the second. Mohamed Simakan headed towards the back post and André Silva showed true striker instinct to put the ball in the back of the net from close range (50’). Two goals in quick succession from Dominik Szoboszlai (62’) and substitute Dani Olmo (68’) put the game beyond doubt for Marco Rose’s side.
Elsewhere, Real Madrid defeated Celtic 5-1 to top the group. Therefore, Leipzig will enter the knockout round after securing second place in Group F.
Match facts
Shakhtar Donetsk:
Trubin - Traoré (59' Lucas Taylor), Bondar, Stepanenko (C), Sudakov (59' Djurasek), Mudryk (74' Totovytskyi), Mykhaylychenko, Bondarenko (81' Kryskiv), Matviienko, Konoplia (59' Kulakov), Petryak
RB Leipzig:
Blaswich - Simakan (67' Henrichs), Orbán (C), Werner (19' Forsberg), Szoboszlai (67' Olmo), Nkunku, Silva, Raum (67' Halstenberg), Schlager (74' Diallo), Gvardiol, Kampl
REFEREE:
Michael Oliver (England)
GOALS:
0-1 Nkunku (10'), 0-2 Silva (50'), 0-3 Szoboszlai (62'), 0-4 Bondar (68', own goal)
YELLOW CARDS:
Mykhaylychenko, Lucas Taylor, Sikan
ATTENDANCE:
31,800 | Wojska Polskiego (Warsaw)
First half highlights
KICK OFF:
Shakhtar get us underway. A point would be enough to qualify for the round of 16, but we’re going for all three!
6TH MINUTE:
The two sides are looking determined here. The winner of the fixture goes through to the next round.
8TH MINUTE:
First sign of danger from RBL! Christo picks up the ball and drives forward before finding Werner. He shoots towards the bottom corner, but Trubin makes the save.
10TH MINUTE, GOOOOAAAAL FOR RBL:
YES! Leipzig win the ball in the Shakhtar half and attack quickly. Nkunku plays in Werner again and again Trubin makes a save. However, the ball rebounds to Christo who slots home!
15TH MINUTE:
The early lead plays into our hands. While the hosts look to attack and risk more, we can look to attack in transition.
19TH MINUTE:
Werner has suffered an ankle injury after a coming together with Stepanenko. He tries to run it off but is not able to continue. Emil Forsberg comes on in his place.
22ND MINUTE:
Shakhtar send it long to Traoré, who looks to break into a good goalscoring position. Orbán tracks him all the way and clears for a corner, before the offside flag goes up on the forward.
29TH MINUTE:
RBL’s pressing is causing the home side some problems, who are consistently finding it difficult to build attacks from the back.
37TH MINUTE:
Shakhtar’s main outlet is the impressive Mudryk. RBL have so far done well against the winger, allowing him only a few moments to get into the game.
41ST MINUTE:
Shakhtar send a long ball forward, which Blaswich can only half clear with a header. Fortunately, Simakan and Gvardiol can defend Mudryk and Traoré well.
HALF TIME:
RBL are in control here after taking an early lead. More of the same in the second half!
Second half highlights
46TH MINUTE:
Back in action! Both teams are unchanged.
50TH MINUTE, GOOOAAAL FOR RBL:
David Raum’s cross misses everyone in the box, but Mohamed Simakan keeps the ball alive, heading back across goal. The ball gets to André Silva at the back post and he bundles the ball over the line from close range!
54TH MINUTE:
RBL attack again, this time through Szoboszlai and Nkunku. After a nice backheel from Christo, Forsberg’s shot goes over the bar.
56TH MINUTE:
Shakhtar hit on the break and Mudryk plays through Traoré. He sprints towards goal from half way, chased all the way by Kampl. Kampl looks to have fouled the Shakhtar forward, but the offside flag goes up.
62ND MINUTE, GOOOAAALL FOR RBL:
That should out the game to bed! Shakhtar lose possession in the build up again and Leipzig are clinical. Nkunku finds Szoboszlai, who gets into the area, takes the ball around the goalkeeper and taps into an empty net.
68TH MINUTE, GOOOAAALL FOR RBL:
There’s the icing on the cake! Dani Olmo scores less than a minute after coming on. Some quick thinking at a free kick sets him free down the left. He gets into the area and curls a shot across goal into the far post.
74TH MINUTE:
Mudryk goes close with a long shot, but the ball goes narrowly over the bar.
77TH MINUTE:
Nkunku shoots towards the front post with a free kick on the edge of the area, but it’s just wide.
84TH MINUTE:
Elsewhere Real Madrid are 5-1 up against Celtic, so we’ll finish in second place in the group.
FULL TIME:
A very impressive performance from Marco Rose’s side sees RBL into the round of 16!
