FC Shakhtar Donetsk began their Ukrainian Premier League title defense with a hard-fought 1-0 away win against newly-promoted FK Epitsentr Dunayivtsi on August 3rd, 2025. The champions were made to work for all three points in a match decided by a single goal. Shakhtar, boasting several international stars, dominated possession but found it difficult to break down a resilient Dunayivtsi defense. The breakthrough finally came in the second half, with Shakhtar scoring from a set-piece or a moment of individual quality to take the lead. The home team fought bravely and had a few opportunities to equalize, but Shakhtar's experience saw them through to a narrow victory. This match result gives Shakhtar a winning start as they aim for another league crown.