This Monday marked a significant moment for Striker Eguinaldo, a player who once wore Vasco’s colors but had recently joined the ranks of Shakhtar Donetsk.
The stage was the Lviv Arena, a venue that, on this occasion, lacked the presence of a cheering crowd but was adorned with Ukrainian flags, creating an unusual yet spirited atmosphere for the friendly match against Blago-Yunist. In an outstanding display of skill, Shakhtar emerged victorious with a commanding 6-0 lead.
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Eguinaldo’s awesome performance for Shakhtar
The star of the evening was the 19-year-old Brazilian sensation, Eguinaldo, who showcased his talent with finesse. In the 11th minute of the first half, Eguinaldo orchestrated an exquisite play, setting up Kevin Kelsy for Shakhtar’s opening goal.
But Eguinaldo wasn’t done yet; he went on to score two goals himself, one at the 38-minute mark in the first half and another at the 13-minute mark in the second half. Kevin Kelsy contributed with the third goal, while Bondarenko and Yanovych wrapped up the impressive 6-0 victory for Shakhtar.
⚽️⚽️ Kelsy ⚽️⚽️ Eguinaldo ⚽️ Bondarenko ⚽️ Yanovych
🧡 Watch all goals and the highlights of the friendly vs Blago-Yunist.#Shakhtar
— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) September 11, 2023
Eguinaldo’s journey to Shakhtar began in July this year when he officially joined the Ukrainian club, inking a contract that extended his commitment until June 2028. Vasco, in return, received a substantial 3.6 million euros, equivalent to approximately R$18.8 million at the time, for his transfer. Unfortunately, Eguinaldo’s debut was delayed due to a left thigh muscle strain he suffered shortly after his arrival.
While Eguinaldo’s talents were sought after, he faced an unexpected hurdle. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) considered him for the 2023 Pan American Games football tournament in Santiago, Chile. However, Shakhtar Donetsk declined to release him for the event.
Shakhtar’s next big moment on the horizon is their debut in the 2023/24 Champions League. They are set to face Porto in a highly anticipated match scheduled for next Tuesday. The battleground will be the city of Hamburg, Germany, and the kick-off time is set at 4 pm (Brasília time). But before the Champions League clash, Shakhtar has an important domestic fixture against Obolon in the Ukrainian Championship, slated for next Saturday.
