Ukraine 2 - 1 Sweden

Ukraine veteran Andriy Shevchenko scored a brace to ensure the co-hosts fought back from a goal down to win 2-1 against Sweden, who had taken the lead through Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

MATCH SUMMARY

Man of the Match: Andriy Shevchenko.The people's champion. His selection was considered by some to be one of nostalgia. Yet the 35-year-old striker proved his doubters wrong, in particular after a first half in which he looked well off the pace. Both his goals came via his head, following smart off-the-ball movement. His substitution on 82 minutes was met by heartening applause.

Ukraine verdict: Spurred on by their home fans, the co-hosts demonstrated admirable steel to turn matters around. Shevchenko will grab the headlines, but there were other positives to take, as Andriy Voronin put in an almighty shift and Yevhen Konoplyanka twinkled on the left flank. The city of Kiev will be one of much celebration on this Monday evening.

Sweden verdict: Zlatan Ibrahimovic will have convinced some more of his baffling doubters, as the AC Milan forward oozed class for much of the game. He opened the scoring via a deft finish and continued to create opportunities. Alas, the issue appears to be that Ibrahimovic is a cut above his team-mates, who failed to match their talisman's quality.

Could do better: Johan Elmander.Harsh, but fair. Thrown on in the 71st minute after just about recovering in time from a foot injury, Elmander was presented with a gilt-edged chance to clinch Sweden a draw in the dying moments following a gorgeous flick by Ibrahimovic. Yet the former Bolton striker blazed over.

Stat attack: Andriy Shevchenko's last brace in a competitive game for Ukraine came in November 2004 versus Turkey.

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Sweden opened the scoring through Ibrahimovic in the 53rd minute, but their lead was short-lived as Shevchenko sprang into action. The Dynamo Kiev striker found the back of the net twice in seven minutes with headers to place the tournament debutants at the summit of Group D.

England, who drew 1-1 with France earlier will have taken comfort from Sweden's unconvincing display ahead of their meeting on Friday. There was little on show to concern Roy Hodgson's side, who will also have been encouraged by the vulnerability of the Ukrainians.

The first moment of real danger arrived in the 17th minute when Ibrahimovic floated in a superb cross that prompted the swift intervention of keeper Andriy Pyatov.

In the 23rd minute it was Sweden's turn to panic when Andriy Yarmolenko sent Shevchenko racing in on goal. Even though he was shooting from a tight angle, Shevchenko should have done better with the chance but failed to connect cleanly with a shot that bobbled across the face of goal.

GettyImages

Andriy Shevchenko scores the second

Andriy Voronin almost made contact with a long ball into the box as the Ukrainians, whose squad was struck by a bug last week, continued to press.

Sweden forced a save from Pyatov following Markus Rosenberg's turn and shot and a mazy run from Ibrahimovic ended when he was dispossessed by Oleg Gusev.

Keeper Andreas Isaksson kept out Andriy Yarmolenko as Ukraine went on the offensive, but moments later Sweden should have taken the lead.

Sebastian Larsson teed up Ibrahimovic with a wonderful cross but the unmarked AC Milan striker headed a glorious opportunity against the right post.

Ibrahimovic would not be denied in the 53rd minute, however, when he became the beneficiary of some poor defending from the hosts. Kim Kallstrom nudged another fine cross from Larsson into the path of Ibrahimovic and the towering marksman made no mistake with the simple tap-in.

But three minutes later Ukraine were level, a fine diving header bringing Shevchenko his 47th international goal after Yarmolenko had made the initial inroads. And in the 62nd minute Ukraine took the lead, with Shevchenko on target once more.

Gusev whipped in a corner to the near post that was met by the veteran former Chelsea striker, who took advantage of a static Ibrahimovic to nod home. Pyatov looked far from convincing as he floundered to keep out a volley and follow-up header from Ibrahimovic.

Sweden substitute Johan Elmander should have rescued a late point but he blazed a one-on-one with the keeper over the crossbar and moments later defender Olof Mellberg, thrown forward in desperation, followed suit.


@ESPN

Live streams: Ukraine v Sweden ( Live football euro 2012 )

Live streams: Ukraine v Sweden ( Live football euro 2012 )

Group D

18:45 +00:00, June 11, 2012

Kiev Olympic Stadium, Ukraine

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