Shakhtar Donetsk booked their spot in the playoff round of the Champions League by beating Fenerbahce 3-0 in Lviv this evening.
Oleksandr Gladkiy gave the hosts the lead in the first half when he turned in Darijo Srna's near-post cross.
Srna then doubled their advantage from the penalty spot after Volkan Demirel had brought down Marlos inside the box.
Alex Teixeira wrapped up the points three minutes later with a goal on the break, and Simon Kjaer was sent off in stoppage time to complete a miserable night for the visitors.
Find out how the action unfolded below.
Hello everyone! We haven't yet reached the group stages of this season's Champions League, but we have got two big names in action tonight, as Shakhtar Donetsk take on Fenerbahce in Lviv. It could be quite some game, and we'll have all the action for you live throughout the evening.
All set at Arena Lviv! Are you ready for the big @ChampionsLeague game? #ShakhtarFenerbahce #UCL pic.twitter.com/SXdSx1uK1F
— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) August 5, 2015
The tie is finely poised after last week's first leg in Turkey. It finished in a goalless stalemate, with the likes of Robin van Persie and Nani unable to get on the scoresheet. Only the same result tonight would lead to a penalty shootout, but it's hard to see these calibre of players failing to net once again.
We'll take a closer look at each side in a few minutes, but first let's see who will be starting tonight's match, as the all-important team news is in!
SHAKHTAR XI: Pyatov, Shevchuk, Ordets, Srna, Rakitskiy, Stepanenko, Fred, Marlos, Alex Teixeira, Gladkiy, Taison
FENERBAHCE XI: Demirel, Kjaer, Sener, Ozbayraklı, Bruno Alves, Souza, Diego, Raul Meireles, Caner Erkin, Sow, Fernandao, Nani
SHAKHTAR SUBS: Kanibolotskyy, Kucher, Dentinho, Bernard, Malyshev, Kovalenko, Eduardo
FENERBAHCE SUBS: Fabian, Kaldirim, Ba,Topal, Zeybek, Potuk, Stoch
So, that's how the teams will be lining up tonight. Shakhtar have named Fred in their starting XI, despite protests from Fenerbahce about his inclusion last week. He is joined in the midfield by the in-form Alex Teixeira, while Ukraine international Oleksandr Gladkiy has been chosen to lead the attack.
Meanwhile, the visitors have left summer signing Robin van Persie out of their squad. However, they have been able to call upon his former Manchester United teammate Nani, while the likes of Raul Meireles, Diego and Moussa Sow are also involved from the start.
Right, let's check out the teams in a bit more detail, starting with the hosts Shakhtar. It must feel slightly strange for Mircea Lucescu and his players to go through qualifying, as they have started their last five Champions League campaigns in the group stages.
However, they were beaten to the Ukrainian Premier League title by Dynamo Kiev and have been handed the toughest possible test against the Turkish heavyweights. Despite the draw, they do have a slender advantage over their opponents, as their domestic season has already begun.
Shakhtar began their new campaign three weeks ago with a victory over Kiev in the Super Cup and they have won all three of their opening league matches to top the table. They were also in action at the weekend, where goals from Eduardo and Alex Teixeira helped them to a 2-0 victory over Hoverla.
They certainly have plenty of European pedigree in recent years, having won the Europa League in 2009, but the furthest that they have managed to go in this competition is the quarter-finals. Fans will probably not want to remember too much of last season's tournament, as they were dumped out in the last 16 following a 7-0 hammering by Bayern Munich.
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It will also be interesting to see how this team performs after the departure of a number of their key players. Last season's top scorer Luiz Adriano, who bagged nine goals in Europe, has joined AC Milan, while Douglas Costa has left for Bayern. Fernando and Ilsinho have also moved on, but there is still a strong contingent of Brazilians in the squad, with Alex Teixeira enjoying an impressive start to the season.
While Shakhtar's domestic season has already started, this will only be Fenerbahce's second game of the new campaign after last week's first leg. Their Super Lig campaign doesn't get underway for another two weeks, when they will play host to Eskisehirspor.
Fenerbahce are certainly no strangers to the Champions League, but they have been banned from playing in Europe for the past two seasons for their past in a domestic match-fixing scandal. Their last involvement in this competition took place in August 2013, where they were beaten 5-0 on aggregate by Arsenal in the playoffs.
The Turkish club usually end up making the group stages, with their best performance coming in the 2007-08 season when they made the quarter-finals. Hopes were high that they could reach the last four after taking a 2-1 lead in the first leg of their match against Chelsea, but the Blues came from behind to win 2-0 and make the semis.
You may have noticed that the club have made some very high profile signings this summer. The most eye catching is probably Robin van Persie, who came off the bench to make his debut last week, but he misses out tonight. His has been joined by his old Manchester United teammate Nani, while Danish defender Simon Kjaer has also arrived in Istanbul, as they look to wrestle the league title back from rivals Galatasaray.
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I have mentioned that tonight's match will be played at the Arena Lviv, which has been Shakhtar's home for the past year due to the ongoing conflict in the east of the Ukraine. The team are currently based in Kiev, with a return to their home ground at the Donbass Arena still a long way off.
Even though there were no goals in last week's first leg, there was plenty of controversy, as Fenerbahce complained to UEFA over the selection of Shakhtar midfielder Fred. The Brazilian is reported to have tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide while on international duty at the Copa America.
Despite the Turkish side's protests, Fred was cleared to play, although Shakhtar were advised by UEFA not to select him. He has since denied taking any banned substances, but he will face a ban should a second sample confirm the findings of the first test.
Here's how things were looking a few minutes ago at the Arena Lviv, as Shakhtar were put through their paces in the warm up.
The team are warming up on the Arena Lviv pitch ahead of the important game against Fenerbahce! #UCL #Shakhtar pic.twitter.com/CeIuqbSl4Y
— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) August 5, 2015
The teams have just made their way out onto the pitch, and once we get the pre-match formalities out of the way, then the action will finally begin in the Ukraine!
KICKOFF! We are underway at the Arena Lviv!
CHANCE! With barely 30 seconds on the clock the home side very nearly take the lead! Marlos cuts inside from the right and works some space to shoot, before firing in a low effort on his left foot that is kept out by Demirel at his near post.
Shakhtar have made a very bright start and they are putting the Fenerbahce defence under a huge amount of pressure. There is also a great atmosphere in the ground, with decibel levels rising every time they get into their opponents' half.
The visitors show their first real threat when Erkin whips in a dangerous cross from the left towards the near post. Sow tries to reach the delivery, but Pyatov is bravely in to gather up the ball and the keeper takes a slight knock from the Senegalese international for his efforts.
Fenerbahce have begun to see slightly more of the ball in the past few minutes and Sow is looking very dangerous down the left of their attack. This game is already looking as if it will be slightly more open that last week's first leg.
CLOSE! The Turkish side look to have weathered the early storm and are showing some promise in the final third. They also manage their first real chance on goal when Fernandao is picked out inside the box and flicks a header goalwards, but he is only able to direct the ball a few inches over the bar.
Nani is lucky to escape an early booking when he lunges in from behind on Shevchuk, giving Shakhtar a free kick by the touchline on the left. Teixeira then whips in the resulting set piece, but his delivery is poor and the visitors manage to clear with ease.
CHANCE! Once again the hosts create a very decent chance to break the deadlock. A loose ball breaks kindly to Gladkiy inside the box and he manages to lay it off for the unmarked Teixeira. The Brazilian is being closed down quickly and manages to get in a low shot, but he places the ball straight down the middle and Demirel makes an easy save.
YELLOW CARD! We've seen some poor tackles coming in from both sides in the past few minutes and the referee has finally pulled out a card for Shevchuk for bringing down Sener. I have a feeling that it won't be the last booking we see this evening.
SAVE! Fenerbahce look to have the beating of their opponents in the air this evening, as Bruno Alves wins a header from Diego's free kick and sees his attempt land safely into the arms of Pyatov. That's a couple of times now that the Shakhtar defence have gone missing and their manager will surely want his team to tighten up in such a key area of the pitch.
The pace of the game is unrelenting at the moment and following a fast break involving Nani at one end of the pitch, Shakhtar cut out the attack and set up their own counter. Fortunately for the visitors, they are able to get enough men back and see out the danger, but there is some fine football being played by both teams tonight.
GOAL! Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 Fenerbahce (Oleksandr Gladkiy)
Following 115 minutes of action without a goal in this tie, Shakhtar have finally made the breakthrough. It's Gladkiy who gets on the scoresheet, as he makes a fine run to the front post to meet Srna's low delivery, before turning the ball past the helpless Demirel.
YELLOW CARD! You can sense the frustration from the visitors after conceding that goal and it boils over slightly when Sener brings down Taison and receives the second booking of the evening.
The game has become slightly fractured in the past few moments with a number of stoppages. It's not helping Fenerbahce one bit and they know that they will be heading out of the Champions League if the scoreline stays the same by the end of the night.
SHOT! Fenerbahce are putting the hosts under some pressure and following a spell of possession the ball breaks kindly to Meireles just outside the box. The Portuguese international then hammers in a sweetly-struck volley, but there was not enough power to beat Pyatov, who is able to comfortably hold on.
If Shakhtar grab another goal before half time then you would fear the worst for Fenerbahce and Stepanenko causes some panic when he flashes a low ball across the box. In the end, it is just too far ahead of any of his teammates, and the visitors are able to let the ball drift out of play for a goal kick.
Shakhtar are sensing that they could add to their lead before the break and they win a couple of corners down the right-hand side. The two resulting deliveries into the box from Srna are good enough, but Fenerbahce defend them well and are able to clear the danger.
CHANCE! This could turn out to be a huge moment in the tie. Meireles delivers an inch-perfect cross into the box that is met by Sow, but the striker sees his header turned behind by Pyatov. It really was a great chance and Sow probably should have made it harder for the keeper, instead of directing the ball straight at him.
There will be just one minute added on at the end of this first half.
HALF-TIME: Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 Fenerbahce
The referee brings the first half to a close and it's Shakhtar who have the lead in this crucial Champions League qualifier. Oleksandr Gladkiy has made the difference with his first goal of the season, while Moussa Sow came the closest to netting for the visitors.
Let's have a look at some of the statistics from the first half. Shakhtar have just about edge it so far and they have seen 62% of the possession. They have also had five attempts on goal, compared to four from the visitors. It's worth remembering that just one strike from Fenerbahce will put the Turkish side through on away goals, so it's far from over in this tie.
Fenerbahce manager Vitor Pereira is taking charge of just his second game at the club and he must be disappointed that he has been unable to call upon the services of Robin van Persie. His team have been crying out for the Dutchman, and you have to believed that he would have done better with the massive chance that Sow missed.
Fenerbahce take the kick off for the second half and get the match back underway!
Pyatov is put under pressure as Diego whips a free kick into the box for the visitors, who had sent plenty of men forward. However, the keeper comes and makes a strong punch, with the referee also blowing for a foul by Sow.
Fenerbahce have made a decent start to the half and they are seeing plenty of the ball inside the Shakhtar half. They have managed to force a few set pieces, but so far Pyatov has commanded his area well and he confidently takes their latest corner with ease.
Shakhtar seem happy to allow their opponents time on the ball and they are dropping far deeper than they did in the opening 45 minutes. They really can't afford to ease off too much and just hope to score from a counter attack, as one goal will put Fenerbahce firmly in the driving seat.
Pyatov has looked solid in goal for the Ukrainians this evening, but the keeper makes a hash of a deep cross into the box. He comes out to punch and ends up flapping at the ball, but luckily for him his defence were alert to the danger and managed to clear in time.
SAVE! We all know how good Nani is from set pieces and the former Manchester United man fires in a powerful free kick that is flicked on by Sow and turned wide of the post by Pyatov.
CHANCE! You just get the feeling that Fenerbahce are coming closer to finding the net and they create another massive scoring opportunity. Nani is involved again as he whips a superb ball to the back post that is met by Bruno Alves, but the defender's header across goal goes inches wide of the far post with Pyatov well beaten.
It all kicks off on the touchline after Fred is brought down by Souza. The Fenerbahce manager then gets himself involved and it looks as if he has been sent to the stands. There wasn't any need for Pereira to be there and it's the last thing his team would have wanted.
PENALTY TO SHAKHTAR! The hosts have the chance to double their lead after Demirel brings down Marlos inside the box and gives away a spot kick. There was no doubt that the referee made the right decision and Srna will step up for his team.
GOAL! Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 Fenerbahce (Darijo Srna)
Shakhtar are surely heading for the playoff rounds now as Srna gives them a two-goal lead from the spot. He cooly placed the ball in the bottom left corner of the net after Demirel had dived the wrong way. There is a long way back now for Fenerbahce and it would take something special for the Turkish side to stay in the competition.
GOAL! Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 Fenerbahce (Alex Teixeira)
That should just about wrap things up now as Shakhtar score their third goal of the evening. The hosts broke quickly from a Fenerbahce corner and Taison picked out Teixeira with a ball over the top. The Brazilian then charged into the box and showed great composure to hold off his marker and fire a low strike past Demirel.
I don't think even the most optimistic of Fenerbahce fans will see their team going through now after those two goals. They had looked dangerous in the early stages of this half and had come close through Sow and Alves, but they have been cruelly punished on the break by the Ukrainians.
Fenerbahce really do look deflated now and you wouldn't bet against Shakhtar adding another goal before the night is through. This has been a real show of intent from the hosts and they will be looking to take this sort of form into the playoffs.
SUBSTITUTION: The visitors are making their first change of the evening, with Potuk coming on for Meireles.
SHOT! Not too many of Fenerbahce's players will come out of tonight's game with much credit, but Nani has probably been their best player. He also shows his threat once again here, with an effort from just outside the box that is held by Pyatov.
SUBSTITUTION: The man who scored the crucial opening goal is coming off, as Gladkiy makes way for former Arsenal striker Eduardo, who returned to the club earlier this summer.
SUBSTITUTION: It's another change for the hosts, with Kucher coming on to replace Ordets.
YELLOW CARD! Kjaer is the third Fenerbahce player to pick up a booking this evening, after crudely hacking down Teixeira.
SUBSTITUTION: Shakhtar make their third late change of the match, as Kovalenko comes on for the impressive Marlos.
SAVE! Caner almost gives his team a late consolation with a powerful free kick from just outside the box, but Pyatov gets down well to make the save and his defenders manage to scramble the ball clear.
DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION: Stoch and Topal are going to get a few minutes for Fenerbahce as they are brought on to replace Nani and Sener.
We are going to have at least three minutes of stoppage time.
SHOT! Shakhtar look to put the icing on the cake with a fourth goal in stoppage time. A flowing team move sees Eduardo get in down the right and he then pulls the ball back to Fred. It is played just behind the midfielder, but he tries his luck with a first-time strike that balloons high over the bar.
RED CARD TO FENERBAHCE! Fenerbahce are heading out of the Champions League and they are also going to end the night with 10 men. Kjaer, who was only booked a few minutes ago, brings down Kovalenko and is shown his send yellow by the referee. That has wrapped up a really poor night for the Turks.
FULL-TIME: Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0 Fenerbahce
It's all over in Lviv, where Shakhtar Donetsk have cruised to a 3-0 victory over Fenerbahce to book their place in the playoff round of the Champions League. They rode their luck at times, but for long periods they were the better team and are now just a couple of games away from reaching the group stage for a sixth season running.
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I'm afraid that's it for our coverage this evening, after a fine night of European football in Ukraine. Make sure you stay with us throughout the night for all of the reaction to today's matches and the latest news from the world of sport. Goodbye!
Written by
Alex Meyers
Alex Meyers
