Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Borussia Dortmund: Final score 2-2, Hummels earns BvB away draw

The crowd at the Donbass Arena were thoroughly entertained by Shakhtar Donetsk and Borussia Dortmund, but they did not go home happy thanks to Mats Hummels. The Dortmund defender made up for a terrible night with a late goal on a corner kick to earn Dortmund a 2-2 draw and send them home for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie with two valuable away goals.

Darijo Srna got Shakhtar off on the right foot with a wonderful goal on a 31st minute free kick. Felipe Santana was clumsy in fouling 25 yards from goal, but Srna didn’t complain. The Croatian just stepped to the ball and hit an absolute rocket. Roman Weidenfeller should have done better to stop Srna’s shot, but the goalkeeper only watched as Srna’s shot found the net and put the home side 1-0 up.

That Shakhtar went in front was a complete shock because the 20 minutes leading up to the goal were all Dortmund. Hummels hit the crossbar on a corner kick and Shakhtar had no idea how to defend in their own third, losing shape and aimlessly booting the ball at best. If anyone was to go in front, it would be Dortmund, except it didn’t play out that way.

Order was restored when Robert Lewandowski equalized just before halftime. Shakhtar’s shambolic defending caught up to them when Lewandowski whiffed on his shot from eight yards, only for two defenders to collide. That gave the striker the time to collect the ball again and have another go, this time all alone with just the goalkeeper to beat. This time he finished and the visitors were level.

Shakhtar’s defending improved in the second half and things evened out. Both teams played quickly and entertained, but the chances weren’t coming left and right as the defenses improved.

But BvB’s improved defense went to pieces in the 67th minute. A long ball saw the Dortmund center backs, especially Hummels, just watch as the ball bounced. That opened up a chance for Douglas Costa, who took advantage. He won the ball and then ripped a shot from 12 yards as Hummels could only watch his mistake be punished.

That was hardly the only mistake of the night for Hummels, who was a threat going forward on set pieces, but really struggled defensively. Maybe that was the result of playing without his center back partner Neven Subotic, who was out with an injury, or it could have just been a poor match, but whatever the reason, he was terrible.

Luckily for him, he would get another chance on a set piece and he made sure to make it count. Completely unmarked, Hummels came rushing in on a 85th minute corner kick and buried his header, equalizing for Dortmund and atoning for his defensive mistake.

Now Dortmund head home sitting pretty. An away draw is always a good result, but to do it with two goals -- that’s just lovely.