Panathinaikos and FC Shakhtar Donetsk played out a tense 0-0 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League qualifier on August 8, 2025. The match at Leoforos Alexandras Stadium was a tactical stalemate, leaving everything to play for in the return leg in Poland, where Shakhtar are playing their European matches. Both teams showed respect for each other's attacking threat, resulting in a cautious game with few clear chances. Panathinaikos had the better of the possession but struggled to break down a well-organized Shakhtar defense. The Ukrainian side, playing away from home due to the ongoing conflict in their country, created the best chance of the game on the counter-attack, but the finish was lacking. The goalless draw sets up a winner-takes-all second leg, where a single goal could decide which prestigious club advances.