It’s not the Santiago Bernabéu, but nobody goes to the home of Real Madrid (temporarily Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano) and puts three past the 13-time European champions INSIDE 42 MINUTES!
After losing 1-0 to Cádiz last Saturday, many predicted a performance of pure vengeance from Los Blancos in the Champions League — a feeling that was amplified by the fact that Shakhtar’s starting lineup was rocked by a combination of injury and illness, including a positive coronavirus test for star forward Júnior Moraes.
But Real manager Zinedine Zidane rang in the changes himself by placing Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos on the bench while captain Sergio Ramos sat this one out with an injury. Still, you don’t expect a spine that includes Thibaut Courtois, Raphaël Varane and Casemiro to crumble like this.
The first half beatdown began in the 29th minute after Viktor Korniyenko skipped around a weak challenge from Éder Militão and fed Tetê for the finish.
Well, this was not in the script was it?! Tetê finishes off the chance and it is 1-0 @FCShakhtar pic.twitter.com/IQS8olOdtq
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) October 21, 2020
Four minutes later, some more weak defending forced Courtois into a save, but the rebound was inadvertently turned home by Varane.
Well what do we have here?! It is 2-0 @FCShakhtar from a Raphael Varane own goal. pic.twitter.com/oaUdFEoPNA
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) October 21, 2020
Finally, three minutes before halftime, 21-year-old Israeli Manor Solomon made it 3-0 after dicing Rodrygo, sending Casemiro to the floor (!) and exchanging passes with Tetê. There's nothing like finishing a flowing move with a backheel assist.
A LOVELY move from @FCShakhtar and Manor Solomon makes it 3-0. WOWWWWW what a first half for them. pic.twitter.com/XclSMio0T2
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) October 21, 2020
At the time of writing, Luka Modrić had pulled one back for Real in fine Luka Modrić style and Vinícius Júnior made it 3-2.
QUE GOLAZO! Pick that one out. Luka Modric makes it 3-1 with this sublime effort. pic.twitter.com/dlteZvCQWo
— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) October 21, 2020
Update: Shakhtar wins 3-2! Next up for Real is a trip to Germany to play Gladbach on Oct. 27.
