Football: Whipping boys Feyenoord fall to 10-man Shakhtar Donetsk

Shakhtar Donetsk's Bernard celebrating scoring the team's second goal during the Champions' League match against Feyenoord on Oct 17, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

ROTTERDAM (REUTERS) - Brazilian Bernard bagged a double as 10-man Shakhtar Donetsk came from behind to defeat Feyenoord in their Champions League Group F clash at De Kuip on Tuesday (Oct 18).

Steven Berghuis had put the home side in front, but goals in each half from Bernard turned the game in favour of the Ukrainian side, who ended the contest with 10 men after Yaroslav Rakitsky was sent off.

The victory moves Shakhtar up to second in the group with six points from three matches, three behind leaders Manchester City.

Napoli have three points but Feyenoord have now suffered three successive losses.

The Dutch side's positive opening was rewarded with an early goal as Tonny Vilhena had his shot blocked by Shakhtar's goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov, but the rebound fell perfectly for Steven Berghuis to score inside eight minutes.

But Bernard equalised midway through the first half after Feyenoord hesitated in defence and Fred slipped a superb pass through for his fellow Brazilian to easily beat Brad Jones.

Eight minutes into the second half, Bernard converted a pass from Bohdan Butko to put Shakhtar one-goal up.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men with 15 minutes remaining when Rakitsky picked up a second yellow card as he pulled back Jens Toornstra, but they clung on to secure the win.

Shakhtar will host Feyenoord in their next Group F fixture on Nov 1, a match that will be played in Kharkiv.

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