Key Takeaways:
- Shakhtar Donetsk reached their first UEFA competition semi-final since the 2019/20 season by advancing past AZ Alkmaar with a 5-2 aggregate score
- Allison Santana scored once again for Shakhtar, adding to his two-goal tally from the first leg
- AZ Alkmaar will now prepare for the KNVB Beker final against NEC Nijmegen on Sunday
Match Overview
Shakhtar Donetsk booked their place in the semi-finals of a UEFA competition for the first time since the 2019/20 campaign, following a 2-2 draw against AZ Alkmaar in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League quarter-final. The Ukrainian side advanced 5-2 on aggregate, building on their commanding 3-0 victory in Krakow a week earlier.
AZ, managed by interim head coach Lee-Roy Echtold, made significant changes to their line-up for this match, altering six positions from last week’s encounter. The rotation came in anticipation of their upcoming KNVB Beker final against NEC Nijmegen scheduled for Sunday.
🔥 WE ARE THROUGH TO THE CONFERENCE LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS! 🧡
🧡 Shakhtar drew 2-2 with AZ Alkmaar and progressed to the next stage with a 5-2 aggregate score! 👊
⚽️ Alisson ⚽️ Meirelles#AZShakhtar #Shakhtar #UECL pic.twitter.com/GQ80mRIpAI
— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) April 16, 2026
First Half: Shakhtar Maintain Control
Despite AZ needing a remarkable comeback, they struggled to make meaningful inroads into the aggregate deficit. Mexx Meerdink registered AZ’s first and only shot on target of the opening period before the 15-minute mark, but his effort was comfortably saved by Shakhtar goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk. Ibrahim Sadiq also came close just before the break, heading narrowly wide across goal, but failed to trouble Riznyk further.
Although AZ looked more competitive compared to the first leg, Shakhtar continued to threaten on the counter-attack. The visitors, with their substantial advantage, lacked urgency in front of goal, resulting in a largely uneventful first half.
Second Half: Goals and Late Drama
After the interval, Shakhtar resumed with greater intent, signalling their ambition to extinguish any remaining aspirations AZ may have had. The breakthrough arrived just before the hour when Allison Santana, already a two-goal hero in the reverse fixture, finished Kauã Elias’ pass with precision into the bottom corner.
The hosts gave their supporters reason to cheer midway through the half, levelling proceedings through Isak Jensen’s deft close-range free-kick that found the net via the post. Momentum briefly swung in AZ’s favour when Matěj Šín put them ahead with a well-executed volley into the bottom corner, setting up a tense final phase.
However, Shakhtar dashed any hopes of a full comeback when Luca Meirelles restored parity late on, calmly slipping the ball through Jeroen Zoet’s legs to seal a draw on the night. The visitors have now preserved their unbeaten record on the road in all six of their UEFA Conference League away fixtures this season.
| Team | Second Leg Score | Aggregate Score |
|---|---|---|
| AZ Alkmaar | 2 | 2 |
| Shakhtar Donetsk | 2 | 5 |
What’s Next for Both Sides
Shakhtar Donetsk’s resilience continues to serve them well in European competition, where they are yet to suffer defeat away from home in this campaign. With their semi-final place secured, attention now turns to who they will face next in the tournament.
For AZ Alkmaar, there were positives in their improved display, but their European journey ends here. They now shift focus to the KNVB Cup final against NEC Nijmegen this Sunday, a match that offers them a route into next season’s UEFA Europa League.
