Shakhtar Donetsk salvages draw with thrilling last-minute goal in Europa League playoffs

Shakhtar and Marseille did not find a winner
Shakhtar and Marseille did not find a winner
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Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk played France’s Marseille to an entertaining 2-2 draw in the first round of UEFA’s Europa League Round of 16 on Feb. 15.

Shakhtar had a chance to take the lead as early as the 3rd minute, but Marseille’s goalkeeper Pau Lopez saved his team by denying Oleksandr Zubkov.

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The ball found the back of Marseille's net in the 27th minute, but the goal was called off as the referee had blown the whistle for a foul by the French side just before the shot.

<span class="copyright">REUTERS/Cathrin Mueller</span>
REUTERS/Cathrin Mueller

Marseille took the lead in the 64th minute when Jonathan Clauss delivered a pass to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who tapped the ball into the near corner.

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Shakhtar managed to equalize just four minutes later. Mykola Matviyenko joined the attack during a set piece and, after receiving the ball in the penalty area, put it cleanly in the back of the goal.

<span class="copyright">REUTERS/Cathrin Mueller</span>
REUTERS/Cathrin Mueller

The visitors regained the lead in the 90th minute when Iliman Ndiaye found the corner, but Eguinaldo leveled the score with a thrilling last minute goal in injury time to salvage the draw for Shakhtar.

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Shakhtar played its “home” game at Hamburg’s Volkparkstadion in Germany.

<span class="copyright">REUTERS/Cathrin Mueller</span>
REUTERS/Cathrin Mueller

The second leg will take place on Feb. 22 in Marseille.

Shakhtar 2-2 Marseille

Goals: Matviyenko 68', Eguinaldo 90+3' — Aubameyang 64', Ndiaye 90'

Goals: Matviyenko 68', Eguinaldo 90+3' — Aubameyang 64', Ndiaye 90'

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine