This article was first published 12 years ago

Shevchenko double gives Ukraine winning start

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Last updated on: June 12, 2012 06:49 IST

Two goals in six minutes by national hero Andriy Shevchenko led Ukraine to a 2-1 comeback victory over Sweden in their opening Group D game on Monday as the co-hosts joined the Euro 2012 party in spectacular style.

Photos: England, France settle in with a draw

The 35-year-old Shevchenko launched himself at a clipped Andriy Yarmolenko cross to head the equaliser in the 55th minute then lost Zlatan Ibrahimovic at a corner to glance in his second just after the hour as the hosts roared back from a goal down.

Andriy ShevchenkoUkraine, the group outsiders, started the match full of running in front of a frenzied home crowd but Ibrahimovic had threatened to spoil their big night when he turned in a low Kim Kallstrom cross to put the Swedes ahead after 52 minutes.

After Johan Elmander missed a glorious chance to level in the last minute, Ukraine sit proudly top of Group D with three points.

They next face France in Donetsk as a team who now have a good chance of advancing to the quarter-finals, especially since Les Bleus failed to sparkle against England.

France and England drew 1-1 earlier in Donetsk.

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