WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Ukrainian team Shakhtar Donetsk’s Champions League campaign ended with a 4-0 loss on Wednesday to Leipzig, whose forward Timo Werner was injured ahead of the World Cup.
Shakhtar had overcome a daunting series of hurdles just to play in European competitions this season and would have reached the knockout stage with a win.
Leipzig advanced to finish second in Group F behind Real Madrid, who beat Celtic 5-1, while Shakhtar continue their Europa League season.
The Ukrainian champions saw key foreign players leave after Russia invaded Ukraine, along with coach Roberto de Zerbi, and had to host their Champions League opponents in neighboring Poland. His Ukrainian league game against Oleksandriya last week was interrupted by an air raid.
Unlike Shakhtar’s stunning 4-1 victory at Leipzig in September, which led to Leipzig sacking then-coach Domenico Tedesco, Leipzig were ready for the Ukrainian side’s counter-attacking style and skill set. 21-year-old promising winger Mykhailo Mudryk.
A draw would have been enough for Leipzig to qualify, but the German side wasted no time in chasing victory. Christopher Nkunku opened the scoring in the 10th on the rebound after goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin parried Werner’s shot.
André Silva doubled the lead shortly after the break by taking the ball back at the far post from a header by Mohamed Simakan. Dominik Szoboszlai scored on the counterattack shortly after and Dani Olmo looped in Leipzig’s fourth in Leipzig’s first attack since coming off the bench.
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