Euro2012: England top Group D, France lose but move on

The 2012 European Championships continued for the Group D teams tonight with their third and final round group matches in the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Donetsk. France suffered a surprise loss against an eliminated Sweden, while England rode their luck to beat co-hosts Ukraine to top Group D.


GROUP D

Sweden 2-0 (0-0) France
Goals: Zlatan Ibrahimović (54'), 2-0 Sebastian Larsson (90+1')

Sweden, who were eliminated before their final match against France, showed against the Equipe Tricolore what they are capable off as Zlatan Ibrahimović and Sebastian Larsson scored for the Scandinavians, while France still qualified for the quarterfinals though they lost their first match after a 23 match unbeaten streak.

Sweden had the better chances in the game, but they needed a moment of brilliance in the 54th minute from Zlatan Ibrahimović to give them the lead. France tried to get back into the match, but in injury time Sebastian Larsson doubled the lead and sealed the match in Sweden's favour.


England 1-0 (0-0) Ukraine
Goals: 1-0 Wayne Rooney (48')

England overcame fighting co-hosts Ukraine to win 1-0 in Donetsk due to a score from Wayne Rooney on his return from suspension.

Ukraine looked the better of the two sides, but as has been the case for them in recent matches they couldn't utilise their chances as England survived and got goalless into the break. But just three minutes into the second half Rooney headed in a Steven Gerrard cross which got deflected by two Ukrainians which denied the keeper to get hold or clear the ball. Towards the end of the match the Ukraine were denied a clear goal as the ball was put back into play from behind the line but the referee showed play on. Luck was also not on the Ukrainians side.

England won 1-0 in the end and can celebrate finishing surprisingly top of Group D and will now face Italy in their quarterfinal.