PSV 3-2 Shakhtar Donetsk: Tillman double inspires late comeback

Malik Tillman inspired a stunning late comeback to earn struggling PSV a vital 3-2 victory over 10-man Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday.

Tillman struck in the 87th minute and again just three minutes later before substitute Ricardo Pepi scored deep into second-half stoppage time to cap a remarkable comeback.

Danylo Sikan had handed Shakhtar the lead in the eighth minute, stretching to turn home Yukhym Konoplia’s cross from the right beyond Walter Benitez.

Konoplia was again the architect for the visitors’ second goal, slipping in Oleksandr Zubkov, who took his time before curling a left-footed strike into the bottom left-corner.

But the turning point in the contest came just before the 70th minute when Pedro Henrique was handed a straight red card for a tackle on Johan Bakayoko.

Tillman reduced the deficit after squeezing in a free-kick at Dmytro Riznyk’s near post before sending a stunning effort into the roof of the net from distance moments later.

And with the game ticking into the final seconds, Pepi sent the Philips Stadion into raptures by converting from close range to move the Eredivisie side up to 18th in the 36-team standings.

What a comeback!

PSV were 2-0 down after 86 minutes #UCL pic.twitter.com/QkzElihrTY

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 27, 2024

Data Debrief: Comeback Kings

In a week that saw fellow Eredivisie side Feyenoord produce an unlikely comeback against Manchester City, PSV decided to go one better on Wednesday.

They were trailing 2-0 until the 87th minute, the latest a team has been losing a Champions League match by two or more goals that they went on to win (excluding extra-time).

PSV have now won two of their last four Champions League games in which they’ve trailed by two or more goals (also a 3-2 win against Sevilla in November 2023), having lost each of their first 38 such games in the competition.

But the turnaround was inspired by Tillman, who has been involved in five goals in his last two Champions League games for PSV (three goals, two assists). His five goal involvements this season are the most ever by an American player in a single campaign in the competition’s history.