Barcelona's winning run in Champions League ends with 1-0 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk

Nov 7, 2023

Barcelona has missed its chance to reach the knockout round of the Champions League with games to spare after a 1-0 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk

HAMBURG, Germany (AP) — Barcelona missed its chance to reach the knockout round of the Champions League with games to spare after a 1-0 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.

It was Shakhtar's first win as a host in the group stage of the competition since it started playing away from Ukraine because of the war with Russia. A crowd of nearly 50,000 was in hand at Volksparkstadion in Hamburg.

"The whole team, including myself, have worked hard for that," Shakhtar midfielder Georgiy Sudakov said. "I would also like to thank all the supporters for their support tonight."

A draw would have been enough to secure Barcelona a spot in the round of 16 for the first time after two straight eliminations in the group stage of Europe's top club competition.

The result ended Barcelona's perfect Champions League record this season and moved Shakhtar into position to also advance from Group H.

Barcelona stayed with nine points and is tied with Porto, which defeated winless Antwerp 2-0 at home later on Tuesday. Shakhtar has six points in third place.

“It's a tough loss,” Barcelona midfielder Oriol Romeu said. “We wanted to come here and secure our qualification but it wasn't possible. We have to try to rebound as quickly as we can.”

Danylo Sikan scored the winner with a header in the 40th minute in the game that Shakhtar hosted in Germany because of the war.

The Ukrainian team lost 3-1 to Porto in its first home game in the Champions League this season. It played its home games in Poland last season, without winning any of them.

Shakhtar is making its seventh consecutive group-stage appearance but failed to reach the knockout rounds in the last five seasons. It had won only three of its last 20 matches in European competitions, including at Antwerp this month.

Barcelona had lost only once this season — to Real Madrid in the Spanish league "clasico" last month. It had no attempts on target through the first hour in Hamburg, and only one the entire match.

Barcelona has played poorly recently as it lost two of its last three matches in all competitions. Marc-André ter Stegen made two saves early in the second half to keep Barcelona in the match.

“It's one of our worst matches that I recall in recent years,” Barcelona coach Xavi said. “We are not going through a good moment, we have to recognize that. It's a mental thing. But we still depend on our own results and we can qualify at home against Porto in the next round.”

Xavi made four substitutions at once in the 59th to try to change the team's dynamics, adding Pedri, João Félix, Alejandro Balde and Lamine Yamal. It wasn't enough, though, and Barcelona didn't threaten much until the end.

Barcelona had beaten Shakhtar 2-1 at home in the previous round.

"We saw in the second half of the away game against Barcelona that we are capable of playing against these sides, and tonight we proved we can beat them," Sudakov said.

Shakhtar forward Newerton made his first Champions League start. The teenager had a goal disallowed for offside in the 87th.

___

AP soccer:

https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

MORE NEWS

Ainsworth’s plea to Gillingham fans
Oct 30, 2026
Ainsworth’s plea to Gillingham fans

Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth wants the club’s fans to channel their support towards the players.

Gills boss confirms King injury blow
Oct 30, 2026
Gills boss confirms King injury blow

Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth has confirmed the extent of Eli King’s injury.

Football fixtures and results
Oct 30, 2026
Football fixtures and results

Catch up with all the week’s football fixtures and results here.

Kent head coach in charge of Anderson-owned outfit
Oct 29, 2026
Kent head coach in charge of Anderson-owned outfit

Kent head coach Adam Hollioake is to take charge of a team at the Italia T10 Cricket competition - co-owned by arguably England’s best bowler.

Milnes reveals turning point of promotion-winning season
Oct 29, 2026
Milnes reveals turning point of promotion-winning season

Seam bowler Matt Milnes praised Kent head coach Adam Hollioake’s approach during their promotion-winning season.

Ainsworth having a rethink after Priestfield horror show
Oct 29, 2026
Ainsworth having a rethink after Priestfield horror show

Gillingham’s weekend thrashing by Grimsby has left boss Gareth Ainsworth questioning both personnel and tactics.

Football fixtures and results
Oct 28, 2026
Football fixtures and results

Catch up with all the week’s football fixtures and results here.

‘I’m all in’ - Tom Eaves makes Gillingham ambition clear
Oct 27, 2026
‘I’m all in’ - Tom Eaves makes Gillingham ambition clear

Tom Eaves may be in the latter stages of his career but the striker insists he still has the fire in his belly to achieve.

FA Trophy draw
Oct 26, 2026
FA Trophy draw

The draw has been made for the second round of the FA Trophy.

KentOnline’s team of the week
Oct 26, 2026
KentOnline’s team of the week

Find out who’s in KentOnline’s team of the week and vote for your star man.

Kent-born darts star crowned European champion for second time
Oct 26, 2026
Kent-born darts star crowned European champion for second time

Kent-born darts star Ross Smith has reclaimed his European Championship crown after defeating Martin Schindler in a thrilling final in Dortmund.

‘That can’t be happening’ – Hale on Gillingham’s 4-1 defeat
Oct 25, 2026
‘That can’t be happening’ – Hale on Gillingham’s 4-1 defeat

Striker Ronan Hale says Gillingham must learn to respond better to setbacks after admitting their heads dropped during Saturday’s 4-1 defeat.

Daily Sports Global

Daily Sports Global, your guide to the best sports news on the Internet. Access to the world’s biggest sports events right here even if you’re not physically there.

Newsletter