Champions League: Leipzig wins first victory… and Shakhtar keeps its hopes alive

RB Leipzig achieved a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday, securing their first win in seven matches after being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League, thus keeping their hopes alive for finishing in the top eight of the league stage.

According to Reuters, Leipzig, who had lost their previous six matches in the group stage, took the lead with a deserved goal by Benjamin Sesko from a cross by David Raum in the 19th minute.

Raum, returning from injury that kept him out since October, scored an own goal in the 31st minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Sporting had opportunities to equalize before halftime.

Chavi Simons of Leipzig shot over the bar in the 49th minute.

Amadou Haidara of Leipzig came close to scoring when his low shot hit the post, but substitute Viktor Gyokris of Sporting equalized in the 75th minute after beating defender Willy Orban.

The joy of the visiting team lasted only three minutes, as Yusuf Poulsen scored the winning goal.

Sporting is in 19th place with 10 points, with one match remaining in the group stage.

In another match, Shakhtar Donetsk kept their hopes alive by securing an important 2-0 win over Brest thanks to a fantastic goal by Kevin and a precise penalty from Georgiy Sudakov.

The Ukrainian champions broke the deadlock in the 18th minute when Kevin capitalized on a massive error by Brest’s captain Brendan Chardonie.

The Brazilian winger pounced on the ball and confidently slotted it into the net.

The home team continued to press to extend their lead, and Brest’s goalkeeper Marco Bizzo saved a series of excellent chances. However, Bizzo caused a penalty after a poor tackle on Irakli Azarov, and Sudakov converted the penalty brilliantly down the middle.

Brest is in 11th place in the Champions League standings with 13 points and is still in a good position to advance to the Round of 16.

Shakhtar is in 27th place with seven points, outside the playoff spot with one match remaining in the group stage.