Shakhtar Donetsk hosted a UEFA Champions League group stage match in England for the first time this season, choosing Stamford Bridge as their temporary home amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Ukrainian club, displaced by Russia’s invasion in 2022, has been compelled to play their European home fixtures outside Ukraine for five years. This marks their initial campaign staging matches in the United Kingdom.
The match took place at Chelsea’s stadium, with Shakhtar facing AEK Athens in front of an attendance of 29,144 spectators. The crowd notably included many Ukrainians living in England, some of whom fled the war in their homeland. Among them was Ivan Kostenko, an 18-year-old who arrived as a refugee from Dnipro with his mother four years ago and now resides near Leicester. Kostenko described the occasion as “unforgettable memories” and expressed a sense of safety living in the UK. Volodymyr Rakovych, 38, who moved to London in 2020, characterized Shakhtar’s presence in the country as “a big gift for the Ukrainian community.”
The match itself featured a spirited comeback by Shakhtar, managed by head coach Arda Turan. AEK Athens opened the scoring in the 28th minute through Lovro Majer. However, six minutes later, a penalty was awarded to Shakhtar after Alisson was fouled; the referee, Chris Kavanagh, confirmed the decision after consulting the video assistant referee system. Pedrinho successfully converted the spot-kick to equalize.
The decisive moment arrived in the final ten minutes, when AEK’s goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli inadvertently deflected a powerful cross from Vinicius Tobias into his own net. Shakhtar sealed the victory late on with a third goal by substitute Gleiker Mendoza, who struck a shot into the top corner, sparking jubilant celebrations among players and supporters alike.
This fixture is the first of four group-stage home matches Shakhtar will host in England this season. Upcoming opponents include Sporting CP, Fenerbahce, and Real Madrid, managed by José Mourinho. Former Ukraine striker and current president of the Football Association of Ukraine, Andriy Shevchenko, was in attendance to support the team, underscoring the significance of the occasion for Ukrainian football amid ongoing adversity.