Real Madrid saw their perfect streak in the Champions League cut short, but they left feelings of courage and never giving up after drawing 1-1 at the last minute with Shakhtar Donetsk.
At minute 94 the German Antonio Rüdiger, who was already in front as a striker chasing a ball, managed to finish off a long cross to score the equalizer, although the celebration was discreet due to the tremendous blow he took and that made him bleed from the face.
Karim Benzema and Eden Hazard came out as starters, supported in attack by Rodrygo and Federico Valverde, but the offense was filled with wet powder and there were few approaches to the rival goal.
As the minutes passed, Shakhtar realized that they could do damage and a few seconds into the second half they went ahead on the scoreboard with a goal from Oleksandr Zubkov, who rose in the area and took advantage of a horrible mark by Ferland Mendy to beat Andriy Lunin, merengue goalkeeper in the absence of Thibaut Courtois.
The Ukrainian team had at least two more opportunities, but there were no correct definitions to shout a goal again.
Carlo Ancelotti moved his pieces and gave entry to Luka Modric, Vinicius, Eduardo Camavinga, Marco Asensio and David Alaba. The meringues looked much better in attack and had their best minutes, although the hero did not come from the bench, but from behind.
Rüdiger’s goal gave Real Madrid a bit of calm to face Barcelona on Sunday, in yet another edition of El Clásico.
Real Madrid continues to lead Group F, with 10 points, further behind come RB Leipzig (6), Shakhtar (5) and Celtic (1).
The following day of the Champions League, Real Madrid visits Leipzig and Celtic hosts Shakhtar.