An amazing story from North-West of France has come into the fore as Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk defeated French Ligue 1 side Rennes to advance to the Round of 16 of UEFA Europa League 2022/23. Shakhtar Despite so much of turmoil in their homeland, delivered one of the most inspiring results that club football will ever see.
The Kyiv based club are not an unknown name in European football as they have previously appeared in the UEFA Champions League as well. But their qualification to the last 16 stages is even more special because of the attack they have been enduring from Russia.
Its been over a year now since the attacks on Ukraine began and it is relentlessly continuing to take shape. As a result many people including footballers are unable to get back to their home land but despite all odds, professional footballers from the country are trying their best to get results in their favor.
🤩 Spectacular outcome and win in penalty shootout.
Goal in the final minutes, super saves by Anatolii Trubin and other highlights of the clash between Shakhtar and Rennes in the @EuropaLeague.#Shakhtar #UEL #RennesShakhtar pic.twitter.com/7MYkSyn8yv
— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) February 25, 2023
Shakhtar Donetsk being one of the most renowned football clubs in Ukraine have truly inspired the entire footballing world. Donbas Arena, Shakhtar Donetsk’s home arena, has been closed since 2014. Donbas has been under martial law since 2022 and is mainly in ruins today, with the majority of its prewar population of 920,000 fleeing to west Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, and Romania.
Last night at the Roazhon Park, home of Rennes FC, Donetsk grabbed a 5-4 win on penalties to reach the round of 16. The 1st Leg ended with a scoreline of 2-1 in favor of the Ukrainians while the 2nd Leg saw Rennes pick up a 2-1 win. After the game failed to come to a verdict in the extra time, it went on penalties where Shakhtar won by 5-4.
