Euro Cup 2012 Results – England 1 – 0 Ukraine

The game kicks off here in Donetsk and both teams start slowly, no real chances in the opening minutes, it does look like this could be a cautious approach from both sides. The first shot of the game comes in the 7th minute struck from 45yards out and it goes over the England goal, never looked threatening from that far out.

England putting together some good spells of possession pushing forward into the Ukrainian penalty area around the 12 minute mark, still no chances to really talk about so far. As i say that Ukraine have a good chance on the edge of the England box, excellently blocked in the end by Englands Scott Parker.

Ukraine have been really restricted to very long shots, England defending well but the game is very tight. Konoplianka has a really good effort from the edge of the box for the Ukrainian side which was blocked well by John Terry, good play from Ukraine there, they are starting to have a bit more of the possession in this game.

The passing in this game so far hasn’t been good. Another good chance for ukraine, another long distant shot this time it was more threatening and had the England keeper diving across his goal.

Rooneys first real chance of the game when Ashley Young crosses from out wide and its almost a free header at the back post, but he heads wide of the goal, a real chance there. 2 Minutes later a really good chance after a really nice passing move from Ukraine, both teams look dangerous but Ukraine seem to have more urgency about their play.

Garmash the Ukraine midfielder has probably been the best player on the pitch shooting from long range a couple of times but also putting together some good moves in front of the England defence. England push forward here now though putting more forward int the box.

The half time whistle goes here and its been a very cagey opening 45 minutes, Ukraine have probably been the better of the two sides. The best chance of the half probably fell to Rooney when he headed wide.

The second half kicks off here and just 3 minutes in Gerrard makes a good run down the right crosses a ball into the box which Pyatov doesn’t deal with and Rooney heads in to make it England 1 – 0 Ukraine with a header pretty much on the goal line.

Ukraine knowing that they need to get a goal here are piling men forward and their putting good pressure on the English defence. From a Ukraine corner England break really well with Rooney bursting forward he passes to Milner who misses his kick, a really good opportunity wasted by England.

Around the 60 minute mark and there a quick corner taken by Ukraine and Milevsky heads over the bar from that corner, a really good opportunity for the equaliser there. England have been much better in the second half but as I say that the Ukraine player is through, saved by Hart and then off the line by John Terry, another look at that please it really was right on the line! It looked over the line, VERY LUCKY for England..

Shevchenko looks set to come on here as Ukraine push for an Equaliser.. England are on the ropes here a bit as Ukraine look dominate. Some really good passing from England as they break and Ashley Cole has a shot and a really good save from Pyatov. On comes Shevchenko and Walcott for Devic and Milner respectively.

Ukraine pushing forward now and they have won themselves a corner which comes to nothing. Konapliyanka shoots from long distance, Joe hart just manage to save a really good effort there. England going forward now and Rooney is well takled right at the last and England win a corner which Rooneys header is saved by Pyatov from the corner.

10 minutes to go here now and Welbeck has been replaced by Andy Carroll. Ukraine having most of the possession but England looking to break all the time here. Its a finely balanced match. A Nazarenko corner here that is aimed at Shevchenko but is defended for another corner, it comes to nothing in the end, 5 minutes of normal time remain.

England break with Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain runs forward with Walcott in space! but he fails to do anything with the ball. Ukraine back attempting to break down England who have been solid in this game. 3 minutes of Injury time but It doesn’t look like its going to matter here with France loosing 2 – 0. England win 1 – 0 and win the Group!