UEFA Champions League
Result: Shakhtar Donestk 2-0 Real Madrid
Date: 01 December 2020
Venue: NSK Olimpiyskiy
Real Madrid are in danger of missing out of the UEFA Champions League knockout stages after losing to 2-0 to Shakhtar Donetsk in their penultimate Group B clash.
Karim Benzema, Ferland Mendy, Martin Odegaard and Rodrygo were recalled to the Los Blancos line-up, while Eden Hazard and Sergio Ramos missed out through injury.
Zinedine Zidane's men were eager to pick up three points after suffering defeat to Shakhtar on home soil in their first match of the group stage phase while a win would secure passage to the next round.
The visitors nearly got their early opener on five minutes when Marco Asensio cracked the upright with a sweeping strike from close range.
It was one-way traffic in the first half, although Shakhtar shot-stopper Anatoliy Trubin produced a few good saves to deny the likes of Nacho, Asensio and Odegaard at the midway stage.
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After a scoreless opening half, Shakhtar put their foot on the pedal in the second and were nearly rewarded when Taison broke through on goal in the 52nd minute, but Thibaut Courtois rushed off his line to thwart the Brazilian.
The hosts were not to be denied seven minutes later as Dentinho opened the scoring with a neat finish past Courtois after pouncing onto a loose ball in the box.
With Los Blancos trailing, Zidane opted withdraw Benzema for Mariano in the final 15 minutes while Rodrygo made way for Isco in midfield.
However, Shakhtar ended any hopes of a comeback in the 82nd minute as a swift counter-attack ended with Manor Solomon driving towards the box before drilling the ball past Courtois.
As a result, Shakhtar have moved up to second spot while the 13-time winners sit in third with one game left to play.
