Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Borussia Dortmund: Halftime score 1-1, Lewandowski answers Srna’s stunner

As expected, Shakhtar Donetsk and Borussia Dortmund are playing at 100 mph and treating everyone at Donbass Arena to a great show, but one in which neither team has managed to sneak in front at halftime. Darijo Srna put the home side in front when he hit a wonderful free kick, but that was quickly answered by Robert Lewandowski, who took advantage of some comical defending to level the match at 1-1.

Dortmund came out quickly and made it clear early on that Shakhtar were going to have troubles at the back. As the match went on, it became obvious that it would be more than just troubles for Shakhtar, who defended poorly all half and showed no signs of improving.

But for all of Dortmund’s forays forward and Shakhtar’s inability to adequately defend, the visitors couldn’t get on the scoreboard. They misfired when presented with chances to shoot and when they did get a decent attempt at goal away, they hit the crossbar, as Mats Hummels did on a 18th minute header.

Just because Shakhtar couldn’t defend didn’t mean they were completely overwhelmed, though. They also attacked and attacked well, with Henrik Mkhitaryan providing some creative play out wide to give Dortmund trouble.

Finally, a bad foul Felipe Santana gave Shakhtar an opening and they capitalized. On a free kick from 25 yards, Srna hit a rocket that curled over the wall and found the net. He was helped by Roman Weidenfeller, who should have done better to save it, but it was still a well-hit free kick and the home side were in front.

That lead would only last so long, though. Eventually, Shakhtar’s awful defending caught up with them. Lewandowski whiffed on a low cross from the right, but in their haste to clear the ball, two Shakhtar defenders collided and left Lewandowski another chance. This time he didn’t miss. All alone and with just the keeper to beat, he found the net to get BvB even at the break.