Karpaty played host to Shakhtar Donetsk at Ukraine Stadium on September 5th, 2026, in the fifth round of the Premier League regular season. The visitors secured a 2-1 victory to move three points clear of their hosts in the table. Five goals were scored across a match that swung from end to end.
Nazariy Rusyn opened the scoring in the 12th minute, capitalising on a loose ball in the area. And here's the thing about the 22nd minute — that is when Moha Moukhliss picked up a yellow card for a late challenge, a moment that shifted the tempo. By then Karpaty were enjoying more possession but their attacks lacked penetration.
Luca Meirelles levelled for Shakhtar in the 25th minute, finishing a cross from the right flank. The visitors had been given a chance to take the lead and Meirelles took it. We had tipped Shakhtar to win at 39 per cent confidence — not a confident prediction, but one that came good here. Alisson restored the visitors' advantage in the 67th minute with a composed finish after a quick counter-attack.
Shakhtar made two changes in the 64th minute, bringing on Y. Nazaryna and Newerton for Luca Meirelles and Fellipe Vieira. Karpaty responded with three substitutions in the 79th minute, introducing I. Calero, R. Vantukh and N. Rusyn. Lucas Ferreira received a yellow card in the 81st minute, while Alisson himself was substituted in the 70th minute.
The statistics tell a story of two teams that both created chances but neither could control the game. Karpaty had 45 per cent possession and two shots on target from five attempts, while Shakhtar held 55 per cent and also registered two shots on target from five attempts. The hosts registered five attacks compared to the visitors' eight, and corners were evenly split at five to three.
To be fair, the result reflects the balance of the match. Karpaty remain third with ten points from five games, while Shakhtar sit second on twelve points. The visitors have won four of five and lost one, while their hosts have three wins, one draw and one defeat. This is a result that keeps Shakhtar in touch with the leaders without pulling away decisively.