Lassina Traoré made an immediate impact off the bench to help Shakhtar Donetsk secure a narrow 1-0 victory over FC Polissya and book their place in the Ukrainian Cup final.
Introduced in the 82nd minute, the Burkinabe striker wasted no time in making his presence felt. In a tense and goalless semi-final that had offered few clear chances, it was Traoré’s moment of brilliance that ultimately proved decisive for the Orange and Black.
With time slipping away and extra time looming, Traoré brought the match to life in the final stages. Receiving the ball in a crowded penalty area, the 23-year-old showed composure and skill beyond measure.
He took a delicate first touch to control the pass, followed by a sharp turn that left his marker off balance.
With a clear view of his teammate making a run, Traoré delivered a perfectly weighted pass that split the defence and landed at the feet of the onrushing forward, who calmly slotted home.
The goal was the only one of the match, but it was enough to settle the contest and send Shakhtar into the final.
The Ukrainian giants will now look to lift the domestic cup and continue building momentum in what has been a challenging but determined campaign.
Traoré’s contribution was hailed by teammates and coaching staff alike. Despite playing just a few minutes, his vision, precision, and calm execution under pressure highlighted his growing importance in Shakhtar’s attacking setup.
The assist also underlined his ability to influence matches even in limited time, showcasing the depth and versatility in the squad.
This moment of individual brilliance capped off what had been a hard-fought encounter against a resilient FC Polissya side.
The underdogs had managed to frustrate Shakhtar for much of the match, closing down space and limiting clear chances.
However, the introduction of Traoré tipped the balance, as his flair and sharp decision-making injected much-needed dynamism into the final third.
For the Burkinabe international, it’s another step forward in what has been a season of steady progress. Injuries had slowed his rhythm earlier in the campaign, but performances like this demonstrate why he remains a valued asset for the club.
Shakhtar’s place in the final adds an exciting chapter to their domestic season, as they now prepare to challenge for silverware.
While the final opponent remains to be decided, the Ukrainian Cup is now within reach, and Traoré’s timely intervention could be remembered as one of the tournament’s defining moments.
For now, fans will celebrate not just the win, but the quality of football that sealed it — a reminder of what makes knockout cup football so thrilling.
And at the heart of that moment was Lassina Traoré, who showed that even a brief appearance can be enough to shape the outcome of a match.
