News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 12 years ago
Home  » Sports » Shevchenko double gives Ukraine winning start

Shevchenko double gives Ukraine winning start

Last updated on: June 12, 2012 06:49 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

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.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Paris Olympics 2024

India's Tour Of Australia 2024-25