Shakhtar Donetsk breathed life into UEFA Champions League Group H with a 1-0 win over Barcelona.
Barca went into the game knowing a win would guarantee their progression to the knockout stages with two games to spare, but they were extremely disappointing in slipping to defeat at the Volksparkstadion.
Danylo Sikan’s header on 40 minutes was worthy of winning any game as Shakhtar opened up the group.
Shakhtar began brightly, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen had to stand tall to deny Mykola Matviyenko.
The Ukrainian side restricted Barca to shots from distance in the first half – Raphinha lashing over from 20 yards being the most notable effort – and it came as no surprise when Shakhtar went ahead with a glorious goal.
Georgiy Sudakov played a raking cross-field pass to Giorgi Gocholeishvili who whipped in a teasing cross from the right and Sikan climbed high to head into the top corner.
Sikan had a huge chance to double Shakhtar’s lead when he was slipped in by Oleksandr Zubkov, but his effort was kept out by the legs of Ter Stegen.
Xavi’s feelings on Barca’s display was summed up when he threw on four substitutes – Pedri, Joao Felix, Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde – shortly before the hour mark.
Barca improved following the changes, but were unable to make the breakthrough and Newerton thought he had sealed the win only to be flagged for offside.
It was a nervous finish, with seven minutes of added time, but Shakhtar held on for the win.
The defeat leaves Barcelona on nine points from four games, with Shakhtar on six. Porto take on Royal Antwerp later on Tuesday.
