Euro 2012: Ukraine 2 - 1 Sweden - Shevchenko heroic as hosts go top

Two Andriy Shevchenko headers saw Euro 2012 co-hosts Ukraine pull off a shock in Kiev. This victory means they have taken top spot in Group D, following the 1-1 draw between England and France earlier in the day. Sweden meanwhile must pick themselves up from this upset before they face England on Friday in a game which may decide their Euro survival. Ibrahimovic hit the post for Sweden and scored the opener before the Ukraine's resurgence. Johan Elmander missed a glorious opportunity to equalize at the death when put through one on one, but blazed over as the Ukraine just held on for a priceless three points. The game was open from the first whistle, with both teams happy to play their own brand of football. It was a game dominated by two personalities, the popular Andriy Shevchenko for the Ukraine and the enigma that is Zlatan Ibrhimovic for Sweden. Both led the attacking line for their respective teams and both were involved in any dangerous build up play. The first half though started in scrappy fashion with Shevchenko fouling Mellberg before Kim Kallstom became the first to receive a yellow card after fouling Oleg Gusev. Eight fouls were committed by either side by half time. The first shot on goal didn't arrive until the 16th minute when a cross-cum-shot by Ibrahimovic caused chaos in the Ukraine box, forcing keeper Pyatov to punch clear. Shevchenko was played through on goal deep inside the penalty area, but he skewed his shot wide on the 23 minute mark. That was the first time Ukraine had looked dangerous in the box having previously had much possession. Ibrahimovic, sometimes brilliant, often frustrating, almost cleared the crowd with a wild hack at goal which went out for a throw in on 30 minutes before Pyatov made another important stop as Rosenburg shot on the turn. Voronin stung the fingertips of Isaksson with a testing drive on 34 minutes, before Elm shot over from distance. Ibrahimovic came closest to breaking the deadlock on 38 minutes when he headed against the post, through he should have scored. That's the closest either team came to scoring in a competitive and well balanced first half. What the first half lacked in goals, the second half more than made up for. The goal came in controversial fashion however. Just six minutes in, Kim Kallstrom teed up Zlatan Ibrahimovic to tap in from close range. The Ukraine were furious as they had a player down injured during the build up, and remonstrated with the referee that the game should have been stopped. The pleas fell on deaf ears though as Ibrahimovic celebrated with his teammates. Just as everyone thought Sweden would then go on to wrap up the three points, the opposite happened. Falling behind seemed to reinvigorate the Ukraine and it took them a mere 3 minutes to equalize. Shevchenko got on the end of a Andriy Yarmolenko cross and nodded home. With the Ukraine's record goalscorer retiring at the end of the Euro's his goal had all the hallmarks of a Hollywood script. The fairytale continued six minutes later as Voronin had a shot blocked away for a corner, which was whipped into the box. Shevchenko peeled away from Ibrahimovic, rendering him a spectator as he got on the end of the corner for header - and goal - number 2. Sweden were deflated after that, with the Ukraine dominated crowd at fever pitch, every pass and shot was willed forward. The Ukraine looked the most likely to score again as Sweden failed to create any clear cut chances. Sweden's response was to bring on Johan Elmander for Rosenburg. As the game neared its end, Ukraine became lethargic. Goalscorer Shevchenko was pulled off for Milevskiy and received a deserved and rapturous standing ovation from the home crowd who will be so sad to see him retire. Just as the game neared its conclusion, Sweden piled forwards looking for the elusive equalizer. Substitute Elmander was played through on goal and when it seemed more difficult to miss, he blazed his left footed shot over the bar as the Ukraine held on for a famous victory in Kiev.