Besiktas Stunned! Shakhtar Donetsk Claims Victory – What Went Wrong?

Besiktas suffered a disappointing 2-4 defeat at home against Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League second-round tie. The match, held on July 24, 2025, saw Shakhtar Donetsk taking a commanding lead, leaving Besiktas with a mountain to climb in the return leg.

Alisson Santana and Kevin both scored twice for the Ukrainian side, while Tammy Abraham and Joao Mario found the net for Besiktas. The game was filled with drama, including injuries and tactical changes.

Key Moments of the Match

• Early Shakhtar Dominance: Shakhtar Donetsk quickly established their dominance, with Santana and Kevin scoring to give them a comfortable lead.
• Abraham's Injury: A blow for Besiktas came when Tammy Abraham sustained an injury and had to be replaced by Joao Mario.
• Besiktas Fights Back: Joao Mario pulled one back for Besiktas, giving them a glimmer of hope.
• Shakhtar Responds: Kevin's second goal restored Shakhtar's two-goal advantage, effectively sealing the victory.

Besiktas midfielder Salih Uçan acknowledged the difficulty of the match prior to kickoff, highlighting Arda Turan's knowledge of Turkish football as a factor. He stressed the importance of securing a positive result at home to improve their chances of progressing in the competition.

Tactical Analysis

Shakhtar's effective counter-attacking play and clinical finishing proved too much for Besiktas. Besiktas struggled to contain Shakhtar's attacking threats, particularly Santana and Kevin. The home side's defensive vulnerabilities were exposed, and they will need to address these issues before the return leg.

The result leaves Besiktas with a significant challenge as they travel to Ukraine for the second leg. They will need to produce a much-improved performance if they are to overturn the deficit and advance in the Europa League.