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Shakhtar comes from behind to beat Roma 2-1 in Champs League

KHARKIV, Ukraine (AP) - Shakhtar Donetsk came from behind to beat Roma 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 meeting Wednesday thanks to a spectacular winner from Brazil midfielder Fred.

The 24-year-old Fred showed why some of Europe's top clubs are reportedly after him with a perfect free kick in the 71st minute.

Facundo Ferreyra had leveled for the Ukrainian club early in the second half after Cengiz Under continued his fine run of form by giving Roma the lead shortly before halftime.

Roma dominated the first half but it was the Italian club's Alisson who was the busier of the two goalkeepers.

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea was also kept busy as he helped his side to a 0-0 draw in the night's other match.

Shakhtar is playing its home matches in Kharkiv, as the stadium in Donetsk was damaged by the conflict in Ukraine.

There were early chances for both sides with Roma going the closest but Edin Dzeko saw his attempt parried from close range by Andriy Pyatov, who then did well to kick away the ball.

Roma started to take control and took a deserved lead four minutes from halftime. Dzeko put in a perfectly-weighted pass to Under, whose finish bounced off Pyatov and into the far side of the net.

It was the 20-year-old Turkey winger's fifth goal in four matches and the perfect way to mark his Champions League debut.

Shakhtar defender Serhiy Kryvstov was then taken off on a stretcher before the break with a badly sprained ankle and had to be replaced by Ivan Ordets.

However, the home side leveled six minutes after the interval thanks to a mistake from Alessandro Florenzi, who had started the match despite a flu bug.

The Roma midfielder missed Yaroslav Rakitskiy's through ball, allowing Ferreyra to latch onto it and run around Manolas to fire past Alisson.

Alisson pulled off a number of good stops, including a brilliant save to fingertip Taison's effort away, but could do nothing to prevent Fred's 20-yard free kick from going into the top right corner.

Shakhtar almost extended its lead in stoppage time but Bruno Peres did well to clear Ferreyra's effort off the line.

Roma's Radja Nainggolan, left, duels for the ball with Shakhtar's Fred, center, during the Champions League, round of 16, first-leg soccer match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) The Associated Press
Roma's Cengiz Under celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Champions League, round of 16, first-leg soccer match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) The Associated Press
Roma's Cengiz Under, front, celebrates with Edin Dzeko after scoring his side's opening goal during the Champions League, round of 16, first-leg soccer match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) The Associated Press
Shakhtar's Facundo Ferreyra celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Champions League, round of 16, first-leg soccer match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) The Associated Press
Shakhtar's Facundo Ferreyra, front right, duels for the ball with Roma's Aleksandar Kolarov during the Champions League, round of 16, first-leg soccer match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) The Associated Press
Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco gives directions to his players during the Champions League, round of 16, first-leg soccer match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) The Associated Press
Roma's Radja Nainggolan reacts during the Champions League, round of 16, first-leg soccer match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) The Associated Press
Shakhtar coach Paulo Fonseca smiles prior the Champions League, round of 16, first-leg soccer match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) The Associated Press
Roma's Kevin Strootman, right jumps for the ball during the Champions League, round of 16, first-leg soccer match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma at the Metalist Stadium in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) The Associated Press
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