As part of Matchday 26 of the Ukrainian Premier League the “Ukrainian Clasico” took place in Kyiv at the Valeriy Lobanovskyi Stadium where Dynamo hosted Shakhtar Donetsk.
Despite a significant gap between teams in the standings, clashes between “White-Blues” and “Miners” are always a major event in Ukrainian football. The high level of interest was also reflected in the attendance with stands filled to the maximum capacity allowed by the city administration.
Ihor Kostiuk’s side started the match more aggressively, actively looking for ways to break down the opponent’s defense. As early as the 5th minute Buialskii struck from inside the penalty area but his effort lacked power and rolled into Riznyk’s hands. Shortly after Karavaiev met a corner delivery and aimed for the near post but the ball struck the post and went out of play.
In the 13th minute hosts opened the scoring. Dynamo applied collective pressing in midfield, Ponomarenko won the ball from Nazaryna in a physical duel and, seeing the goalkeeper far off his line, scored a stunning goal from the center circle – 1:0.
Shakhtar had no intention of losing and became more active in attack. Matviienko headed a Nazaryna free kick but the ball landed on top of the net. Lucas Ferreira then struck dangerously from the center of the box after a bounce but fortunately the ball flew over the crossbar.
Towards the end of the first half visitors had more chances to equalize. Nevertton curled a shot toward the far corner from outside the box,but it landed on top of the net. Soon after he volleyed from a tight angle but Neshcheret pushed the ball out for a corner.
Dynamo went into halftime with the lead but shortly after the break Shakhtar equalized. In the 50th minute Prosper broke down the left flank and sent a low cross into the box, Traoré laid it off to Lucas Ferreira who fired under the crossbar – 1:1.
The game then slowed somewhat, though visitors enjoyed more possession. Vinícius tested Neshcheret with a long-range effort, and in the 68th minute Shakhtar took the lead. Matviienko struck powerfully from the edge of the box, Neshcheret parried it into the danger area where Traoré was first to react and finished from close range – 1:2.
Dynamo, of course, had no intention of giving up. In the 71st minute the equalizer should have come: after a throw-in Ponomarenko held off Gram and squared the ball to the goal area where Yatsyk somehow sent his first-time effort over the bar. Shaparenko also had a promising chance but his shot from inside the box was blocked.
In the 85th minute Karavaiev delivered a fine ball to the edge of the penalty area, Guerrero made a run, controlled it and struck under the crossbar. Initially the assistant referee did not signal offside but after a VAR review the goal was unfortunately disallowed.
In stoppage time Dynamo had excellent chances from corners to salvage the game. First Mykhavko headed at the far post but Riznyk made a crucial save and pushed the ball out for another corner. Then, just before the final whistle, the ball fell to Guerrero but Panamanian forward fired narrowly wide.
Unfortunately Dynamo lost to their principal rival and remain in fourth place in standings. Their next match will take place next Saturday, May 9, away against LNZ Cherkasy.
Ukrainian Premier League. Matchday 26
Dynamo – Shakhtar – 1:2 (1:0)
03.05.2026. Kyiv, Valeriy Lobanovskyi Dynamo Stadium.
Dynamo: 35. Neshcheret – 20. Karavaiev, 40. Bilovar, 32. Mykhavko, 2. Vivcharenko – 91. Mykhailenko (8. Pikhalonok, 76), 10. Shaparenko (44. Dubinchak, 84), 29. Buialskii (c) (5. Yatsyk, 70), 7. Yarmolenko (16. Ogundana, 70), 70. Redushko (39. Guerrero, 84) – 11. Ponomarenko.
Shakhtar: 31. Riznyk – 18. Gram, 4. Marlon (17. Vinícius, 27), 22. Matviienko (c), 16. Azarov (13. Pedro Henrique, 76) – 29. Nazaryna (8. Kryskiv, 46), 21. Bondarenko (27. Ocheretko, 63), 14. Izaki, 37. Ferreira, 11. Neverton (69. Prosper, 46) – 2. Traoré.
Goals: Ponomarenko (13) – Ferreira (51), Traoré (68).
Bookings: Bilovar (47), Ponomarenko (90) – Vinícius (32), Matviienko (34).
