Shakhtar team depleted by coronavirus stuns Real Madrid 3-2

A Shakhtar Donetsk team depleted by coronavirus cases handed Real Madrid a 3-2 home loss in Group B of Champions League on Wednesday.

Playing with only a few regular starters, Shakhtar took advant of counterattacks to open up a 3-0 first-half lead, and n held on after Madrid pulled closer with two goals shortly after break in an empty Alfredo Di Stéfa Stadium.

Madrid thought it had equalized in injury time through Federico Valverde, but goal was disallowed for offside after video review.

Ukrainian side opened scoring through Tetê in 29th minute and added to lead with an own-goal by Madrid defender Raphael Varane in 33rd. Mar Solomon n added third in 42nd.

Madrid fought back with a long-range shot by Luka Modric in 54th and a goal by Vinícius Júnior in 59th, seconds after he came on as a substitute.

Inter Milan hosted Borussia Mönchengladbach in or Group B match later Wednesday.

Shakhtar arrived in Spain without several key players who were t fully fit after going into isolation because of positive COVID-19 tests. Seven regular starters and a couple of first-choice substitutes were absent, and coach Luis Castro had to call up seven players from “B” team.

Im credits: AP