Key Takeaways:
- Inter claimed their first points of the UEFA Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk
- Alessandro Bastoni was sent off with a second yellow card with a quarter of the match remaining
- Shakhtar Donetsk’s unbeaten run in thе Champions League phase ended, and they remain winless in eight matches against Inter
Match Analysis
Inter put an end to their poor run in the UEFA Champions League, recording only their second victory in nine games, by defeating Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0. The result also brought Shakhtar’s undefeated streak in the League Phase to a halt.
The hosts, desperate to put a stop to their record streak of four consecutive defeats in Europe’s elite competition, started the match aggressively. Marcus Thuram nearly gave Inter an ideal opening, but Dmytro Riznyk was equal to his attempt in the early exchanges. Shortly after, Hakan Calhanoglu carved out an opportunity with Nicolo Barella before drilling a shot just wide in the opening minutes.
SIAMO ANDATI A VINCERLA 🚀🖤💙 https://t.co/pL2YEZ9wj5
— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter) October 21, 2026
Inter maintained the pressure and enjoyed more of the ball, but meaningful chances came at a premium. Around the midway point of the first half, Ange-Yoan Bonny controlled a lofted pass expertly and forced Riznyk into another strong save with a shot on the turn.
Despite a prolific start to the Champions League for both clubs, their prior two group matches produced a combined total of 16 goals, goalscoring opportunities at San Siro were limited. Josep Martinez needed to come to Inter’s rescue late in the half, palming away Valeriy Bondar’s headed attempt from a corner – only the second shot on target he faced before half-time. The goalless first period broke a sequence of 10 Champions League matches in which Shakhtar had found the net before half-time.
Second-Half Tension and Inter’s Resilience
Inter entered the second half determined to extend their record of having struck at least three goals in every home game this season, even in their Matchday 2 loss to Club Brugge. However, Shakhtar, managed by Arda Turan, continued to frustrate them defensively.
Bonny saw another attempt squeak through to Riznyk, before the keeper made a fine save from a curled Thuram effort. Inter’s mounting irritation culminated with 25 minutes remaining when Alessandro Bastoni was dismissed after collecting a second yellow card for an off-the-ball incident involving Oleh Ocheretko.
Shakhtar attempted to exploit their numerical advantage, but Inter manager Cristian Chivu introduced Henrikh Mkhitaryan, whose experience quickly altered the contest.
Match-Winning Moment and Final Stages
Mkhitaryan picked out Carlos Augusto with a perfectly weighted pass, enabling Augusto to hold his nerve against Riznyk and score the decisive goal.
There was an opportunity for Mkhitaryan to seal the result, but he missed the target after being forced to take an additional touch. In the closing stages, Martinez denied Newerton and Bondar to preserve the lead, ensuring Inter snapped their run of four successive home defeats in European competition.
This result also prolonged Shakhtar’s torrid record against Inter, as they have now failed to win any of their past eight meetings, with only one goal scored in that sequence.
