Shakhtar Donetsk has clinched its 16th Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) title following a decisive victory over FC Poltava in the 27th round of the season. This win not only solidified their position at the top of the league but also ensured they cannot be surpassed by their closest rival, Polissia, with only three matches remaining.
The match unfolded with Shakhtar taking the lead just before halftime. After earning a corner, Lassina Traoré headed the ball to midfielder Dmytro Kryskiv, who scored the opening goal. In the second half, Shakhtar’s Lucas Ferreira appeared to have doubled the lead, but his goal was disallowed for offside. However, shortly after, defender Vadym Pidlepich inadvertently assisted Shakhtar’s Izaac Silva, who scored to make it 2-0.
Silva continued to shine, scoring again at the 61-minute mark after a pass from Artem Bondarenko. Traoré capped off the scoring with a goal in the 67th minute, concluding the match at 4-0 in favor of Shakhtar. This victory confirmed Shakhtar’s dominance in the league, making them unreachable for any competitors.
With this title, Shakhtar has now won 16 championships, trailing only behind Dynamo Kyiv, which has 17 UPL titles. Additionally, Shakhtar’s triumph means they will participate in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Champions League for the 2026/27 season. The club has also surpassed Dynamo in the total number of domestic trophies won in Ukraine, reaching a total of 40.
Current Standings:
- Shakhtar Donetsk: 66 points (27 matches), Goal Difference: 65:17
- Polissia: 55 points (27 matches), Goal Difference: 47:18
- LNZ: 54 points (27 matches), Goal Difference: 36:16
- Dynamo Kyiv: 48 points (27 matches), Goal Difference: 59:33
- Metalist 1925: 46 points (27 matches), Goal Difference: 32:16
Shakhtar Donetsk has secured its 16th UPL title after a commanding 4-0 victory over FC Poltava. This win guarantees their participation in the upcoming UEFA Champions League qualifiers and marks a significant achievement in Ukrainian football history.