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– Good evening and welcome to live coverage of the UEFA Euro 2012 Group D match between England and Ukraine from Donbass Arena in Donetsk. |
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– The Three Lions need just a draw to secure a place in the quarterfinals, while the co-hosts have to win if they are to reach the last eight. |
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– The big talking point is that Wayne Rooney returns after his two-match suspension, partnering Manchester United teammate Danny Welbeck up front. |
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– For Ukraine, there is no Andriy Shevchenko, with the veteran striker left on the bench due to his worrisome knee. |
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– Here are the full line-ups: |
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– England: Hart, Johnson, Terry, Lescott, Cole, Milner, Gerrard, Parker, Young, Rooney, Welbeck |
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– Ukraine: Pyatov, Selin, Khacheridi, Rakitskiy, Tymoshchuk, Garmash, Husyev, Yarmolenko, Konoplyanka, Milevskiy, Devic |
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1’ – We are underway in Donetsk! England wear all-white, Ukraine are in blue and yellow. |
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2’ – A bright start from the co-hosts, they are fired up for this one... |
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3’ – Good pressing high up the pitch from Ukraine. England have barely got out of their half... |
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4’ – Good possession from Ukraine, but England have kept their shape well in the early minutes. |
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6’ – Garmash makes a good tackle to stop Rooney delivering a cross from the left flank. |
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7’ – Garmash now shoots from long range... not far away, that had Hart worried for a second. |
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8’ – It really is all Ukraine in these opening minutes, but they haven't created an opening yet... |
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9’ – Welbeck does really well to win a speculative long ball, but Rooney loses possession with a poor first touch. |
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10’ – Better from England now, they are slowing down the play and trying to keep possession, breaking Ukraine's momentum. |
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11’ – Cole feeds in a low cross from the left, but it's easy pickings for Pyatov. |
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13’ – Decic shoots from the edge of the box... blocked by Parker. Just for a moment Ukraine looked like opening up England's defence... |
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14’ – The first corner of the game goes to England. Gerrard crosses, Pyatov punches clear and Ukraine counter attack... |
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15’ – Rakitskiy with a long range shot, but it's way off target. |
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16’ – Selin with an intelligent cross from the left, but Terry's touch is just enough to steer it away from Milevskiy. |
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17’ – The English fans break out a rendition of 'God save the Queen'... Ukraine's fans answer with whistles and jeers. |
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18’ – Terry makes a vital block to stop Konoplyanka's shot and Tymoshchuk's effort on the follow up is high and wide. |
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20’ – Husyev floats in a cross from the right... guess who clears it again? Terry. |
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21’ – This time Cole hacks away under pressure from Yarmolenko. |
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22’ – Husyev cuts inside from the left and shoots... just over! Hart seemed to have it covered to be fair... |
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23’ – Midway through the first half, still 0-0, but Ukraine have certainly been the better team. |
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24’ – Gerrard crosses from a free kick... Pyatov awkwardly palms it away for a corner. |
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24’ – Terry tries a stooping header from Gerrard's corner, but Ukraine come away with the ball. |
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25’ – Young wins a free kick wide left, another chance for a Gerrard set piece delivery. |
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26’ – But the Liverpool player's delivery is not quite as dangerous this time, as Ukraine defend comfortably. |
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27’ – Milner crosses from the right... a poor one, over the head of his teammates in the middle of the box. |
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28’ – Young plays in a great cross from the left, Rooney heads... wide! That should have been 1-0 England! |
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30’ – Yarmolenko shoots on goal, good save Hart! Probably Ukraine's best chance so far... |
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31’ – Past the half hour mark, goalless so far, though both sides have created decent opportunities... |
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32’ – Young shoots on goal, deflected for a corner. Gerrard picks out Terry from the corner, but his header is awkward and high over the crossbar. |
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33’ – Devic turns near the by-line to deliver a cross into the danger area, but Johnson heads away under pressure. |
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35’ – Konoplyanka almost chips a perfect ball through, but Lescott does just enough to get it away. |
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36’ – Young provides a low cross from the left by-line, but this time it's Ukraine's turn for some heroic defending as they get it clear of the box. |
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37’ – Less than 10 minutes to the break. England will be very keen to get to the changeroom, it's been a difficult half so far... |
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38’ – Young tries to sneak onto Gerrard's long ball, but Ukraine's defence crowd him out. |
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40’ – Johnson tries to feed Welbeck, but his pass is a poor one and gives possession back to Ukraine. |
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41’ – Parker tries an ambitious long range volley that loops well wide of goal. |
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42’ – Great feet in the box from Yarmolenko as he threatens to unlock the defence. Corner Ukraine. |
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43’ – The corner comes to nothing for Ukraine, it's looking like a half that is going to end goalless. |
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45’ – Garmash floats a hopeful cross into the England box, but Husyev can't keep it in play. Goal kick England. |
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45 + 1’ – The referee brings the first half to an end. |
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– England will not be happy with that first half performance, but the bottom line is that, as things stand, they are going through and Ukraine are going out. |
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46’ – Back underway in the second half. No changes at the break from either team. |
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47’ – Milner wins the first corner of the second half. |
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48’ – Wayne Rooney (England) scores! |
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– Gerrard's corner is cleared, but he gets a second chance to cross... missed by everyone and Rooney heads home at the far post! |
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49’ – What a return to the team for Rooney! But Pyatov must take most of the blame... he somehow missed the ball at his near post... |
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50’ – A couple of corner kicks in quick succession for Ukraine, but nothing comes from them. |
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52’ – Ukraine now need to score twice to progress through the next round. It just doesn't seem likely... |
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53’ – Again two corners in quick succession for Ukraine, but again England's defence is solid at the set piece. |
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54’ – England on the counter, Rooney is free on goal, but he's hauled in by a defender before Milner's shot is scuffed wide... |
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55’ – That's how England will play now... invite Ukraine forward and then look to hit them on the counter. |
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56’ – Young floats in a dangerous cross... just beyond the reach of Rooney! |
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58’ – Cole wins a cheap free kick off Garmash, England could work something from it... |
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59’ – Young crosses after exchanging passes with Welbeck, but Rakitskiy makes a good headed clearance. |
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61’ – Ukraine work a corner kick short, Yarmolenko crosses to the near post... headed over by Milevskiy, he was unmarked! |
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62’ – Devic is through on goal, he cuts inside and gets away a deflected shot... cleared off the line by Terry! Ukraine thinks it crossed the line, but no dice from the referee and his assistant! |
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63’ – TV replays suggest the ball crossed the line, but it's so, so close, such a tough call for the officials! |
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63’ – Anatoliy Tymoshchuk (Ukraine) is cautioned. |
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64’ – Rooney shoots for goal from a free kick... wide of the near post, Pyatov had it covered. |
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66’ – Devic chests down a ball in the England box, but Lescott makes sure the ball is hit into row Z before the striker can get a shot away... |
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67’ – It's Ukraine once again enjoying the lion's share of possession... |
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68’ – Milner crosses from the right, Rooney challenges Pyatov and the ball break for Cole to shoot on goal... saved by the 'keeper! |
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69’ – England Substitution: Theo Walcott replaces James Milner |
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70’ – Ukraine Substitution: Andriy Shevchenko replaces Marko Devic |
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72’ – Corner Ukraine, Rakitskiy crosses... poorly. Out for a goal kick. |
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73’ – Steven Gerrard (England) is cautioned. |
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74’ – Konoplyanka's shot is fumbled by Hart, Lescott has to make a desperate clearance! Nervy times for England... |
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74’ – Yaroslav Rakitskiy (Ukraine) is cautioned. |
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75’ – Gerrard picks out Rooney at the far post... his header is saved by Pyatov! |
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77’ – Ukraine Substitution: Bohdan Butko replaces Artem Milevskiy |
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78’ – Ukraine Substitution: Serhiy Nazarenko replaces Denys Garmash |
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78’ – Ashley Cole (England) is cautioned. |
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80’ – Ten minutes for Ukraine to score two goals... surely not? |
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81’ – Nazarenko shoots from long range... over the bar. |
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82’ – England Substitution: Andy Carroll replaces Danny Welbeck |
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84’ – Nazarenko chips a ball into the box, but Young is back to head clear. |
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85’ – Nazarenko crosses from a corner, Shevchenko tries to force it home at the near post, but there are too many bodies in the way for that. |
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86’ – Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine) is cautioned. |
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87’ – England Substitution: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaces Wayne Rooney |
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88’ – France are 1-0 down against Sweden in the other group game, so it's looking like England will top the group. |
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89’ – But Ukraine continue to believe they can turn this game around... Yarmolenko appeals for a hand-ball in the box, but the referee waves him away. |
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90’ – There will be three minutes of added time... |
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90 + 1’ – Yarmolenko tries a curler from the edge of the box but it's wide. |
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90 + 2’ – Sweden are now 2-0 up in the other game... England will top the standings and face Italy in the quarterfinals, while France will face Spain. |
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90 + 3’ – The last minute of added time... |
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90 + 4’ – The referee blows the whistle for Full Time. |
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– That's it! England are through as Group D winners, Ukraine are out! |
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