Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi Lead PSV to Stunning Comeback Victory Over Shakhtar Donetsk
What a night for football fans at the Philips Stadion! Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi delivered a jaw-dropping performance to help PSV Eindhoven pull off a dramatic 3-2 comeback win against 10-man Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday. This was a game that had everything: goals, drama, a red card, and a finish that will be talked about for years to come.
Trailing 2-0 at halftime, PSV looked down and out. But when Shakhtar’s Pedro Henrique was sent off in the 69th minute, the Dutch side seized the opportunity to turn the game on its head. Tillman scored twice in the dying minutes, and Pepi sealed the deal with a stoppage-time winner, sending the home crowd into absolute pandemonium. The victory not only extended PSV’s unbeaten home record to an incredible 47 games but also pushed them up to 18th in the standings after five matches.
First Half: Shakhtar’s Lightning Strikes
Shakhtar Donetsk came out swinging, and it didn’t take long for them to make their mark. In just the eighth minute, a quick counter-attack down the right flank saw Yukhym Konoplia set up Danylo Sikan, whose sliding effort just managed to beat PSV goalkeeper Walter Benítez. The Ukrainian side’s pace and precision on the counter were breathtaking, and PSV struggled to keep up.
Shakhtar doubled their lead in the 37th minute with a moment of brilliance from Oleksandr Zubkov. After Konoplia dispossessed PSV’s Matteo Dams near the halfway line, Zubkov curled a stunning shot beyond Benítez’s outstretched arm. At halftime, it looked like Shakhtar were on their way to a famous away victory.
Second Half: The Turning Point
Despite PSV’s numerous attempts on goal, Shakhtar’s defense, led by goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk, held firm for much of the second half. But everything changed in the 69th minute when Pedro Henrique was shown a red card for a dangerous challenge on Johan Bakayoko. With Shakhtar reduced to 10 men, PSV smelled blood and began to pile on the pressure.
The Comeback: Tillman and Pepi Shine
It was Malik Tillman who sparked the comeback. In the 87th minute, his free kick somehow squeezed past Riznyk at the near post, giving PSV a lifeline. Just three minutes later, Tillman unleashed a thunderous shot from outside the box to level the scores at 2-2. The Philips Stadion erupted as the home fans sensed something special was happening.
But the drama wasn’t over yet. Deep into stoppage time, substitute Ricardo Pepi completed the turnaround. After a series of quick passes across the face of goal, Pepi’s effort went in off the post, sealing a 3-2 victory for PSV. The scenes of celebration were unforgettable, with players and fans alike reveling in the moment.
Post-Match Reactions
PSV captain Luuk de Jong summed up the emotions perfectly: “It was rare, actually unbelievable. You have to score the first goal, and once you do that, it gives you an extra boost. But we just couldn’t find a way of scoring—until Malik took that free kick. Brilliant to take three points in that manner. We are going to celebrate properly in the changing room.”
What’s Next?
PSV’s next Champions League match is against Brest in France on December 10. Meanwhile, Shakhtar will host Bayern Munich the same day, though their home games are being played at Schalke 04’s stadium in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, due to the ongoing Ukraine crisis.
Key Takeaways
- Malik Tillman scored two late goals to spark PSV’s comeback.
- Ricardo Pepi netted the stoppage-time winner to complete the turnaround.
- Shakhtar’s Pedro Henrique was sent off in the 69th minute, shifting the momentum.
- PSV extended their unbeaten home record to 47 games.
This match will go down as one of the most thrilling comebacks in recent Champions League history. PSV fans will be talking about this one for years, and the team will look to carry this momentum into their next match. For Shakhtar, it’s a bitter pill to swallow, but they’ll have to regroup quickly with Bayern Munich looming on the horizon.
Originally Written by: Reuters
