England enter the knockouts

England ended up topping their group and avoiding Spain, an ugly yet effective win over hosts Ukraine, with Sweden toppling France gave us safe passage to the knockout stages.

The game was a similar effort to the one against France, no frills, solid defence and a goal aginst the general run of play.

Roy Hodgson played it safe by leaving out Walcott once more and sticking by the more industrious Milner, Rooney a straight swap for Carroll.

Ukraine as expected tore into England from the off, the white shirts gave up possesssion and sat back, content to let the hosts make the early running, Hart though was not troubled too much as the defence stood firm and the only threat was from distance.

Rooney looked rustier than the tin man in a lake, his first few touches were one touch, one touch and he had lost it!

The big moment for Rooney arrived about ten minutes before half-time, Young's deep cross was on his folically enhanced head, his jump thyough was mistimed and he missed the target when he really should of buried the chance.

Half time arrived though and England had stood firm, yes Ukraine had had the possession, but we had the best chance of the half and looked a threat on the break.

The second period was barely warm when England took the lead they craved for, Gerrard gave his full back twisted blood and left him on his arse, he crossed low and hard and the 'keeper made a real mess of it, the ball popped up to the back post and Rooney redeemed himself from a yard out, the lead was Englands once more!

Rather than stir Ukraine into life, the goal knocked them somewhat, Devic saw his influence wane and england suddenly looked most likely.

The big talking point though arrived on the hour,Devic got goalside, Hart half blocked his effort and ball ballooned over him, John Terry managed to hack clear but the ball looked well over, luckily the linesman was a full 5 yards away and couldn't be sure!

The talk will revert to goal line technology once more, this time though it was in England's favour.

Shevchenko was bought on in a last act of desperation, his first being to hack down Ashley Young and gain a yellow card, he may of been a bit of a flop at Chelsea, but in these parts he remains godlike.

It wasn't Sheva but Konoplyanka who almost gained parity, his shot from 25 yards swerved and dipped and moved all over the shop, Hart doing well to palm it away when it eventually reached him.

And that people, was that, France lost, we topped the group and Rooney was the hero without playing well, you do start to believe that maybe we can stumble all the way now!

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