Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 Stade Brestois 29: Shakhtar keep qualification hopes alive with win over Brest

Shakhtar Donetsk enhanced their prospects of reaching the Champions League knockout stage for the first time since 2018 with a 2-0 victory against Brest at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, halting the visitors' streak of three consecutive wins.

Despite having not played a competitive match in over a month, Shakhtar displayed minimal signs of inactivity, nearly scoring within the first eight minutes when Marlon Gomes’ backheel attempt from Eguinaldo’s low cross narrowly missed the target.

The breakthrough came just ten minutes later, as a misstep by Brendan Chardonnet allowed Kevin to seize the ball and advance unopposed from the halfway line, where he maintained his composure to slot the ball past goalkeeper Marco Bizot.

The Brest defense faced further challenges after half an hour when Eguinaldo capitalized on a long pass from Irakli Azarovi. Although the striker managed to evade Bizot, his delicate shot went just wide of the goal.

Shakhtar's persistent pressure paid off shortly thereafter when Azarovi was fouled in the penalty area by Bizot, prompting Swiss referee Sandro Schärer to award a penalty. Heorhiy Sudakov executed a well-taken panenka, extending the lead eight minutes before the halftime break.

Following the interval, Marino Pucic’s side maintained their dominance and could have increased their lead if not for a fine save by Bizot from Sudakov’s attempt.

Brest struggled to threaten Shakhtar's advantage, failing to register a shot on target until the final twelve minutes, when a powerful free-kick from Mathias Pereira Lage was expertly parried away by Dmytro Riznyk.

A late disallowed goal from Oleksandr Zubkov had little impact as the Ukrainian team celebrated their second victory in the league phase. This win against French opposition brings their points total to seven, keeping alive their hopes of finishing in the top 24, contingent on their performance in the upcoming match against Borussia Dortmund.

Brest's aspirations for a top eight finish are still intact; however, they will probably require a minimum of one point against Real Madrid on the final matchday.