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Having won a shock victory against Sweden in their opening match, Ukraine came into the game against France with expectations riding high. France on the other hand were sure to give no quarter to claim those priceless three points which would ensure their continuance in the game. And they didn’t. The French attacked ruthlessly, passed beautifully and ran emphatically to send the hosts packing 2 – 0, despite the Ukrainians fighting with all their might against the indomitable Les Blues who presented a solid, water tight game. The Ukrainians didn’t exactly give up arms and surrender but fought valiantly until those two quick goals, from which they never really recovered.
The game had to be halted just five minutes into it thanks to a torrential downpour which soaked the pitch and the players, which could thankfully commence after an hour. France attacked immediately, with a Karim Benzema shot being blocked by the Ukrainian keeper Andriy Pyatov. This would be only the first of 19 attacks by France and 7 saves by Pyatov, who was playing at his club home ground of Shathkar Donetsk. France gradually took control of the game, but the effect of the now-famous Ukrainian home-ground support seemed to be creeping into their game, the roar from the stands seeming to give strength to their feet. An incredible roar went up from the crowd every time Ukraine gets the ball. France seemed oblivious to that, and continued to built up attacks through short passes and quick runs from Frank Ribery, Nasri, Menez and Benzema. The Swedish defended valiantly and counterattacked though the twosome of Andriy Yarmolenko and SerhiyNazarenko. In the 39th minute came one of the best saves in the tournament when Pyatov dived flying across the goal front hard and long to beat a Menez cross out of the goal. On the other side Lloris also did a sharp dive to keep a Shevchenko drive out.
The game was being played out pretty evenly now, with the Ukrainians high on confidence matching the French move for move, with Lloris denying another Shevchenko grounder. But that would not last long. In the 53rd minute when Jeremy Menez took a pass from Benzema and drove it home in a precision shot through the legs of defender Selin and beating Pyatov by a mile. Just three minutes later Yohan Cabaye silenced the Ukrainian crowd finally for good when he shot in another Benzema pass to make it 2 – 0. It was all downhill for the home side from then on, with France completely dominating the game. in the 62nd to 64th minutes, France made a series of around 40 consecutive passes at the Ukraine goal front which sent the defence scrambling all over the place. It ended with Cabaye smashing the ball into the post. But it was heartbreak for the plucky Ukrainians and their charged fans.
France was the better team no doubt with absolute mastery in possession (56%), attempts and chances. But for a while it seemed that Ukraine was poised to surely score a goal. But the double whammy took the wind out of their sails and out of their supporters lungs. But still, a good game. France consolidates their position in Group D, and Ukraine are still very much in the tournament. Shevchanko and co. sadly could not repeat their performance against their like-colored opponents of the first game, but still hold great promise for the future and are probably the finding of this tournament. France are classic France, finally finding their cohesion in a team of fantastically talented players.
