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Gleiker Mendoza picked the perfect moment to announce himself on Europe’s biggest stage. The 23-year-old Venezuelan forward found the net right before halftime to hand Shakhtar Donetsk a 1-0 lead over PSV Eindhoven in the opening match of the 2026/27 Champions League league phase.
The goal, assisted by Isaque in the 45th minute, came at Philips Stadion, a venue where PSV have built a formidable record in European competition.
A summer signing making an immediate case
Mendoza arrived at Shakhtar during the summer 2026 transfer window. Slotting into a squad that already blends Brazilian flair with Ukrainian resilience, the Venezuelan has added another dimension to Shakhtar’s attacking options.
Isaque, who provided the assist, has been part of the creative engine that makes Shakhtar’s attack tick.
PSV’s home fortress under siege
PSV came into this match unbeaten in their early Eredivisie fixtures. Philips Stadion has been a difficult place for visiting teams in continental competition, with the Dutch side building an extended unbeaten streak at home in European matches.
The last time these two clubs met, in November 2024, PSV came away with a dramatic 3-2 victory.
The new Champions League format raises the stakes
This match carries added weight because of the tournament’s expanded league phase format. Unlike the old group stage, where teams had a smaller pool of opponents and a clearer path to the knockout rounds, the league phase demands consistency across a broader set of fixtures.
For Shakhtar, picking up points away from home against a club with PSV’s European pedigree would represent a significant early statement. Ukrainian football has faced extraordinary challenges in recent years, and the club’s ability to compete at this level speaks to an organizational resilience that goes beyond tactics and transfers.
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