Not there seems much need for stoppage time at the end of this game, but, nevertheless, the fourth official has indicated their will be a minimum of three minutes of added time.
89'
The game is well and truly winding down now, as the Shakhtar faithful - some of which have made the mammoth journey across the country to be here this evening - sing out their support for their side. They were far from at their best for much of the first half, but after Braga were denied a clear-cut penalty, and Srna stepped up soon after to convert a spot-kick at the other end, the result never looked in doubt.
86'
Bernard enters the game and replaces V. Kovalenko.
Indeed, Bernard will be making a cameo this evening, as he replaces Kovalenko, who has been excellent.
83'
Shakhtar still have their third and final change available, and they seem prepared to be using it as Bernard completes a short warm up before making his way to the touchline.
81'
We’re into the final 10 minutes of normal time now, and neither side seem to pre-occupied with wanting to over-exert themselves. For Braga, it is simply a matter of attempting to avoid any further embarrassment, while Shakhtar have no need to risk their players amidst their challenge for both this trophy and their domestic top flight crown.
78'
Mauro enters the game and replaces Luíz Carlos.
André Pinto enters the game and replaces W. Boly.
Dentinho enters the game and replaces Taison.
Braga’s second change in quick succession - and third of the night in total - sees Willy Boly make way for Andre Pinto.
The second change for the hosts sees Taison - who has been heavily linked with a move away from the club in the upcoming transfer window - replaced by Dentinho.
For the visitors, meanwhile, Fonseca replaces Luiz Carlos with Mauro Silva.
77'
Eduardo da Silva enters the game and replaces Marlos.
A whole raft of changes now, for both sides. First, Eduardo, the former Arsenal striker, replaces Marlos.
73'
Ricardo Ferreira is unfortunate, scores an own goal!
OWN GOAL! It’s another shocking moment for Ricardo Ferreira who, after turning the ball into his own net shortly before half-time, repeats the feat now as he attempts to prevent Taison’s low cross finding Ferreyra. What a horrible night this has been for the visitors.
71'
Small appeals for a penalty from some of Braga’s players now, after Djaven’s cross rasps against the arm of Malyshev in the area, but their is nothing doing for the referee.
70'
Braga are seeing plenty of possession right now, but they are not managing to make any headway through Shakhtar’s defence, who in all truth are now using this game as nothing more than a routine training match.
Minute
Description
67'
DISALLOWED! Crisp play once more from the home side, as Marlos slots a wonderful pass through to Ferreyra. The striker can only direct his effort against the woodwork, however, and although Kovalenko smuggles in the rebound, the goal is quickly ruled out for an offside from the Argentine.
65'
SAVE! Perhaps a stop for the cameras, there, by Pyatov, who dives high up to his right to prevent Josue’s long-range strike nestling into the roof of the net.
64'
That’s a superb tackle by Ismily! Rafa Silva had initially done extremely well to use his pace and footwork to turn out of trouble deep in his own half and start a swift counter, but just as he was about to drive through in Shakhtar’s goal, the aforementioned defender comes across with a hefty challenge to prevent the diminutive winger from making any further headway.
62'
CLOSE! Well, Braga area at least attempting to give a respectable account of themselves now, as Rafa Silva tries his luck with a venomous strike from the cusp of the box. It looks set to fly into the bottom-left corner, but Kucher sticks out a leg at the final moment and it takes a wicked deflection up, and agonisingly over, the crossbar.
60'
That’s better from Braga, as the y finally manage to string a meaningful attack together through the centre of the pitch. Josue eventually receives the ball and slips a pass into Stojiljkovic, but the substitute can only drag his effort wide from the edge of the area.
57'
N. Stojiljković enters the game and replaces Wilson Eduardo.
A first substitution of the game now for the visitors, as the ineffective Wilson Eduardo is replaced by Nikola Stojiljković.
56'
SO CLOSE! Superb play once more from Taison, who shows all of his quality with a pinpoint, outside-of-the-foot cross into the six-yard box from the left flank. Ferreyra looks set to get on the end of it but, much like Kovalenko in the first half, he is unable to stretch fair enough to apply a finishing touch into an empty net.
55'
Luíz Carlos gets yellow.
That's a third booking of the game now for Braga, as Luiz Carlos goes into the referee's notebook for a late tackle on Ferreyra. Taison lifts int he cross from the resulting free-kick, but none of the Shakhtar attackers are able to get on the end of it.
54'
CHANCE! It’s all too easy for the hosts, as Taison toys with his marker before floating a cross to the back post. Ferreyra rises to meet it, knocking it down towards Malyshev. The midfielder, who scored at the weekend on domestic duty, strikes an effort on goal, but Matheus gets down to make the save - albeit at the second attempt.
52'
Wasteful! That’s poor and desperate from Braga. They lump a long ball forward which Hassan does well to win and lay off into the path of Vukcevic, but he can only hit a half-volley way off target.
50'
V. Kovalenko has scored a goal for Shakhtar Donetsk! Assist by D. Srna.
GOOOOAAALLLL!!! KOVALENKO MAKES IT 3-0! It was another patient, well-wroked move by the hosts, as Marlos gets down the right and slips through a lovely reverse pass into the path of Srna who, on the run, drills in a fantastic low cross which the aforementioned playmaker duly tucks home with a side-footed strike - with Matheus unable to get a strong enough hand to it.
It really was a superb bit of play buy Shakhtar, with Srna - who has been involved in all three of their gaols so far - providing an excellent delivery for Kovalenko, who has deserved his goal this evening.
48'
The second half ha started in much similar fashion to how the first half ended, with Shakhtar in complete control. They are in the luxurious position of being able to set their own tempo now, with a three-goal cushion. Braga will be looking to restore some pride, but will also know that, if they open up too much, could quickly be carved open and embarrassed.
46'
Welcome back! We are back under way in L’viv where Braga, in their bright yellow away strip, get the game back up and running.
42'
Ricardo Ferreira is unfortunate, scores an own goal!
GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLL!!! Well, it must surely be all over now, as Ricardo Ferreira doubles the hosts’ lead with an own-goal! Shakhtar carved open Braga with ease, Taison playing in Ismily who drilled a brilliant cross towards Kovalenko, but he could not apply the finish. The ball found its way through to Srna down on the right, who managed to engineer enough room for himself to float in a cross. Kovalenko atoned for his earlier miss with a delicate header, and although Ferreyra was unable to latch onto it, his namesake in Braga’s defence could only turn it into his own net. Shakhtar 2-0 Braga!
40'
High and wide! Top-class play from Srna, who in no way shows his age as he burst down the right at pace and drills in a delightful, inviting cross which Boly just manages to hook clear of the goal-line. The rebound falls out to Marlos, who nudges it on into the path of Taison, but the Shakhtar winger can only thump his strike well over the crossbar.
38'
CHANCE! That’s agonisingly close for Braga! Djaven did brilliantly down the left, powering into the area before slotting a low cross into the six-yard box, but Hassan does not react quickly enough and, by the time he has got into the six-yard box, the ball has already trickled wide.
36'
Braga win a corner down on the left, which Josue delivers. The ball pinballs around in the area, eventually falling to Rafa Silva, but his effort cannot find its way through to the target.
34'
CLOSE! Great play by Taison, who tracks back well to prevent Djaven getting forward down the left, making the tackle on his compatriot and immediately threading a pass through to Kovalenko. The playmaker assesses his options before electing to slide the ball out to the left and into the path of the onrushing Ismily, but the Brazilian can only direct his low strike a yard wide of the target.
32'
Shakhtar look to be in complete control now following that opening goal, and Braga look pretty deject of confidence and, at the moment at least, devoid of ideas.
29'
POST! What a move by Shakhtar! That was superb stuff from the hosts, who carved through Braga at pace and with ease. Taison was the architect, playing a one-two with Marlos before sliding through a pinpoint throughball into the path of Ferreyra. The former Newcastle United loanee’s first touch takes him wide, but under pressure from Matheus he manages to execute a linked attempt over the Braga shot-stopper. It looks all set to trickle into the net, but - agonisingly for the Argentine forward - the ball clips off of the outside of the upright.
27'
Shakhtar have certainly not been up to par so far this evening, but that goal has boosted them and they now have an opportunity to quickly double their advantage after Srna is fouled on the edge of the area on the right flank. Marlos floats in the cross, which Matheus can only pat out into the path of Taison, but the winger miss-cues his effort and Carlos gets over to make the block.
25'
Penalty goal scored by D. Srna for Shakhtar Donetsk!
GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLL!!! That’s a great finish by Srna who, on his 486th appearance for Shakhtar, steps up to hammer home a low, powerful strike into the bottom-right corner. That’s his 10th goal in European competitions for the Ukranian giants.
24'
Matheus gets yellow.
PENALTY TO SHAKHTAR! Well, Braga were denied a blatant spot-kick just over 10 minutes ago, and now, they have conceded one. It definitely was a penalty, with Matheus, who picks up a booking for his troubles, sliding in clumsily on Kovalenko. Srna steps up to take it...
22'
Despite Braga’s promising start, they have still yet to truly threaten Pyatov in the Shakhtar goal. Fonseca’s side are one of the lowest scorers on the road in their domestic league, with just 13 goals to their name away from home, and they have similarly struggled in this competition this season - having netted just three times over five away fixtures.
20'
Hassan - who has been in great form for Braga in 2016 - is running Shakhtar’s defence ragged at the moment, with Kucher and Ordets both unable to cope with his sharp movement. Again, he wins a corner with a smart run, which Rafa Silva whips into the six-yard box, but Josue is unable to connect with his attempted volley.
18'
Almost an opening for the hosts then, as Taison plays in Ismily with a superb, volleyed pass on the half-turn. The Shakhtar full-back races into the area ahead of his marker, but his second touch is a heavy one and the chance goes amiss.
15'
W. Boly gets yellow.
Well, when luck is against you… Just a moment after that terrible decision from the official, he again makes a harsh call against Braga when he deems Boly’s foul on Taison worthy of a yellow card.
14'
That should have been a penalty! That’s a lucky escape for Kucher there, who dived in desperately on Hassan after the Braga forward had driven into the box at pace. Replays clearly showed that the Shakhtar defender got nothing of the ball and all of the man, but despite being in a perfect position to see the incident, the referee deemed that the defender got a touch on the ball.
12'
The resulting corner comes to nothing for Braga, and Shakhtar finally manage to retain possession and negotiate their way forward. The ball is eventually worked out wide right to Srna, who looks to thread a precise pass through to Kovalenko, but Boly gets across to make a timely interception.
10'
Bright play from Braga! Once again, the visitors press high and force Marlos into a mistake on the half-way line. Josue pounces on the loose ball, immediately switching play out to Hassan with a sublime pass. The Egyptian looks to get the better of Kucher, but the veteran defender stays solid and forces the ball out of play.
8'
Shakhtar’s coach Mircea Lucescu is far from happy down on the touchline, with the 70-year-old urging his players to up their intensity following what has been a rather sloppy start. They have not imposed themselves on proceedings at all, as of yet.
6'
Great defending by Srna, who showed all of his experience there to get across and cover for Kucher, who had been fooled by the skill of Rafa Silva on the edge of Shakhtar’s penalty area. Promising play from Braga.
5'
An early word of warning now for Jouse, as the Braga playmaker is pulled up for a late lunge on Ferreyra. Shakhtar go short from the resulting free-kick, working a move down the right which sees Marlos get in-behind the visitors’ back-line, but his eventual cross is a poor one and Ricardo Ferreira is well-placed to intercept.
3'
It’s been a frantic start to proceedings, with neither side as of yet able to stamp any semblance of authority on the game. Braga are, however, looking to get on the front foot, but so far have been unable to penetrate Shakhtar’s defensive structure. Jouse eventually manages to feed Eduardo with a neat throughball, but the Brazilian can only turn his cross straight into Pyatov.
1'
KICK OFF! We are under way in L’viv. Shakhtar are in their typical white, black and orange home strip, while Braga don their changed luminous yellow and black kit.
Hello, football fans, and welcome to another LIVE commentary, as we bring you all the action from the Europa League quarter-final second leg between Shakhtar Donetsk and Sporting Braga. The Ukranian giants, who still play their home games at the L’viv Arena amidst the continues unrest in the eastern part of the country, lead 2-1 from the first leg – which represented their first appearance in a European quarter-final in five years – courtesy of goals from Yaroslav Rakitskiy and Facundo Ferreyra.
It is set up for a fascinating encounter this evening, though the hosts certainly have the advantage. They have won their previous three meetings against Braga, and the victory in northern Portugal last Thursday provided them with two vital away goals. However, Shakhtar could only follow that win up with a disappointing 3-3 draw against Stal Dniprodzerzhynsk last time out in the Ukranian Premier League, and they will need to be at their very best if they are to secure their place in the semi-finals, and what would be two consecutive home victories in European competition for the first time since 2012.
On the other hand, the visitors, who overcame Fenerbahce in rather controversial fashion in the last round, come into this game on the back of a three-game winless streak. Their defeat in the first leg was preluded by a 5-1 thumping at the hands of Benfica, while they had to rely on a last-gasp, stoppage time equaliser from defender Willy Boly to earn them a point at home to Moreirense at the weekend. Paulo Fonseca’s side have found it difficult on the road in the Europa League this campaign, and have failed to score in three of their last four fixtures away from home in this competition, highlighting the size of the task of having to net at least twice this evening to secure a place in the last four.
The team news is in now from Lviv, with changes for both sides from the lineups that started in Braga last week. The hosts make just the one change, which is an enforced one, with the suspended Rakitskiy - who opened the scoring in the first leg - being replaced by the experienced Aleksandr Kucher. As for the visitors, Fonseca makes three changes in total. Out go Baiano, Pedro Santos and Nikola Stojiljkovic, with Djavzn Ferreira, Josue and Wilson Eduardo their respective replacements.
Without further ado, let’s check on the full team news, starting off with the home side…
TEAM NEWS - Braga (4-4-2): Matheus; Goiano, Ricardo Ferreira, Boly, Djaven Ferreira; Josue, Carlos, Vukcevic, Rafa Silva; Wilson Eduardo, Hassan.
It’s going to be extremely interesting to see if Braga can strike the right balance in the early stages of this match. They are clear outsiders in this contest, but if they can get on the front foot and perhaps, grab an early goal, then they could really apply some pressure to their hosts. It is a near full-house in L’viv - which is a full 750 miles away from Donetsk.
Tonight is extra special for Shakhtar’s skipper Darijo Srna, as the 33-year-old - donning the No.33 - breaks the club appearance record with his start this evening.
HALF TIME! Well, that’s it for the first half in L’viv, in what has been an action-packed game so far. Braga started positively, and were desperately unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Hassan was clearly brought down by Kucher. Their luck got worse soon after as, at the other end, Matheus dived in on Kovalenko and Srna coolly stepped up to convert the resulting spot-kick, before, just prior to the interval, Ricardo Ferreira turned the ball into his own net to make it 2-0 to the hosts on the night, and 4-1 on aggregate.
It has to be said, that the game did change on that poor decision by the referee. It was a definite penalty for the visitors, and Kucher can consider himself extremely fortunate to have gotten away with the reckless challenge. However, after that incident, Braga sat off, allowing Shakhtar the freedom of the pitch, and the hosts duly made them pay. Surely, it is merely a matter of damage-limitation now for the visitors.
Scores from elsewhere in the Europa League for you now. At Anfield, Liverpool are behind 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund, with the German side now 3-1 up on aggregate. Villarreal are being Sparta Praha 3-0 in Prague, meanwhile, while, in Spain, Sevilla are drawing 0-0 with Athetic Bilbao, with the current holders reading 2-1 on aggregate.
FULL TIME! It’s all over in L’viv, where it has finished 4-0 to Shakhtar Donetsk on the night, and 6-1 on aggregate, over Braga. It has been a truly humbling experience for the Portuguese side, who have been dispatched comfortably by their much more accomplished hosts, who seal their place in the Europa League semi-finals.
In all truth, Shakhtar never really had to get out of first gear to claim this victory - courtesy of goals from Dajiro Srna and Viktor Kovalenko along with two own goals from Ricardo Ferreira. The Ukranian giant join Villarreal and Liverpool, who came from behind to grab a last-gasp win over Borussia Dortmund at Anfield, in the semi-finals. The other tie, between holders Sevilla and fellow Spanish side Atheltic Bilbao, is heading to extra-time.
Well, that’s all we have time for this evening. It has been a pleasure to bring you all the action from what, ultimately, was an entirely one-sided affair in L’viv. Until next time, thank you and goodbye!
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