Dortmund Scores Late in 2-2 Draw with Shakhtar
Borussia Dortmund twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Shakhtar Donetsk in the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday following Mats Hummels' late equalizer.
Hummels' powerful header from Marcel Schmelzer's corner in the 87th minute ensures the defending Bundesliga champions will have the advantage of two away goals in the second leg at home on March 5.
Shakhtar captain Darijo Srna struck first with a free kick in the 31st, the ball sailing over the wall and rendering goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller a bystander as it flew into the net.
Ten minutes later, Dortmund finally converted one of its many chances when Robert Lewandowski found the near corner from just outside the box after having missed his first attempt on goal.
Shakhtar regained the lead when substitute Douglas Costa brought down a long-range pass while between two defenders and 35 meters out from goal to find the net with a shot on the turn in the 69th.
Led by midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski, Dortmund had several attempts on goal in the opening 20 minutes but Shakhtar goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov's first real test came from a corner in the 17th minute. Hummels rose above Luiz Adriano to head Marco Reus' cross onto the crossbar with Pyatov no chance of intervening.
Shakhtar began to enjoy a period of possession from the 30th minute onwards with new acquisition Taison the only player looking a danger for the hosts up until to that point.
Shakhtar's defense was bolstered by Fernandinho providing an effective barrier in front of the back four, with the Brazilian being largely responsible for the visitors only converting two of their 17 overall chances.
In the second half, both sides seemed intent on keeping the ball rather than throwing men forward as the game's tempo began to subside.
Despite being mostly in control, Dortmund continued to miss chance and chance before Hummels popped up late to give the German team a deserved point.
The match began with a minute's silence to remember the four people who died earlier Wednesday on a Donetsk-bound plane from the port city of Odessa. Two others were injured while the fate of two others is unknown, according to Ukrainian officials. The passengers were traveling to attend the match.
Source: Associated Press
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