Luiz Adriano scored five goals as Shakhtar Donetsk thrashed BATE Borisov 7-0 in Group H in the Champions League this evening.
The Ukrainian champions became the first team to score six goals in the first half of a Champions League match as they ended BATE's 13-month unbeaten run at home.
The result leaves the visitors second in the group, just two points behind leaders Porto, while BATE remain just ahead of Athletic Bilbao.
Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the result.
Match statistics
BATE
Shots: 15
On target: 4
Possession: 40%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 11
SHAKHTAR DONESTK
Shots: 19
On target: 13
Possession: 60%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 9
Was the result fair?
Given their clinical performance in front of goal and BATE's woeful defending, Shakhtar certainly deserved a big win this evening. The home side were unlucky to concede the first two goals, but given the quality of their play for the remainder of the first half, they can have no complaints about the scoreline. Although they may feel hard done by after the visitors were awarded what looked like a soft penalty for the seventh late on.
BATE's performance
It all started quite well for the hosts, who were imposing themselves in front of goal, had plenty of possession, and were unlucky to find themselves a goal down early on following a defensive mix-up. However, they crumbled after giving away a penalty shortly before the half-hour mark to let the Ukrainian champions double their lead, and never fully regained their composure. Particularly in the final 15 minutes of the first half, their defending was shambolic and they always looked like conceding when Luiz Adriano and Alex Teixeira got forward. Truthfully, the final score really could have been a lot worse for the Belarusian champions tonight.
Shakhtar's performance
Shakhtar made the most of their chances in the first 30 minutes to take a two-goal lead before showing a ruthless streak to really punish their opponents before the break. With 13 of 19 shots on target, the visitors were clinical in front of goal, with their accuracy and pace forcing a number of costly errors from their opponents. While the scoreline was definitely boosted by the poor performance from their opponents, Shakhtar were superb this evening.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Luiz Adriano: When a player scores five goals in a 7-0 victory, it really is hard to make a case for anyone else. The striker was part of a dangerous-looking attack from the start, and had an almost flawless conversion rate in front of goal throughout. As well as scoring two well-taken penalties, Adriano was in the right place at the right time to capitalise on a couple of BATE errors before smashing in his fourth just before the break. He could have finished with a double hat-trick after hitting the woodwork in the second half, but his five-goal haul leaves him sharing a record with Lionel Messi for most goals scored by a single player in a Champions League match.
Biggest gaffe
It is quite difficult to pick just one, but Sergey Chernik's foul that gave away the first penalty sticks out. The hosts had been playing well at that point, although they were a goal down. A sloppy error let Teixeira with a clear run at goal, but the home side did have a man on the winger, so the keeper did not need to come off his line. By making the clumsy challenge, he risked a red card but was given the benefit of the doubt by the referee, although the yellow does mean that he will not be available for their next match.
Referee performance
Croatian official Ivan Bebak let the game flow fairly well, not stopping the game too often for unnecessary free kicks. The two biggest decisions of the night were the penalties that were awarded to Donetsk. There were no doubts about the first, but he was a little lenient by not sending the keeper off. The second did seem rather harsh, as there was very little contact between Adriano and Filip Mladenovic, but it did not have much impact on the final result at that point.
What next?
BATE: The Belarus champions face a trip to Torpedo Zhodino in the Premier League at the weekend, and will also face Dinamo Minsk before facing Donetsk in Ukraine in two weeks.
Shakhtar: Donetsk are at home to Poltava in the cup next Tuesday, and will travel to Metalurh Donetsk before host BATE next month.
Sian Cowper
