Three Lions into Euro 2012 quarter-finals
GOING TH-ROO ... Wayne sends England into the last eight
Published: Today at 21:36
WAYNE ROONEY'S header sent England through to the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.
The Manchester United star returned to the starting line-up after serving a two-match ban.
And his goal three minutes into the second half saw England top Group D after France were beaten 2-0 by Sweden.
It means Roy Hodgson's men will face Italy in the last eight on Sunday.
Rooney was visibly buoyed by his return to the side and said: “Obviously I was delighted with the win and to score.
“I haven’t scored at a major tournament for a while (since 2004) so it was nice to get a goal which won us the game.
“We stuck in well at times against a difficult crowd and overall we deserved the win.”
He added: "The main thing was to get through the group and to finish top.
“We know our qualities and what we’re capable of. We’ve worked hard, done a lot of tactical play in training.
“We’re difficult to beat and I don’t think any team will fancy playing us.”
Ukraine had the better of the possession in the opening period but Joe Hart was only tested once — stopping a low effort from Andriy Yarmolenko.
Rooney missed a great chance to put England ahead after 28 minutes.
Terry found Young in space on the left and his cross picked out the unmarked striker.
But he appeared almost too casual in attacking the ball and directed his header wide.
Ukraine retaliated and produced their most decisive move to date two minutes later.
Marko Devic and Artem Milevskiy combined to find Yarmolenko in space on the right of the box and, after cutting inside, his left-footed drive was held by a relieved Hart.
Devic was looking sharp and relishing the chance offered to him by Shevchenko’s injury.
England tried to take the sting out of the game with a spell of possession.
But there was a sense of expectation from the home fans every time their side ventured forward.
Yarmolenko showed his quality in jinking into the England area and it needed Joleon Lescott to halt him as he prepared to shoot at the expense of a corner.
But Ukraine failed to muster a chance from the set-piece and England went into the break all sqaure.
However, that all changed on 48 minutes when Rooney put the Three Lions in the driving seat.
Steven Gerrard’s corner was half-cleared but the skipper received the ball back on the right flank and whipped in a dipping cross.
Andriy Pyatov failed to deal with the situation and Rooney was left with the simplest of headers at the far post to nod home his 29th goal for England.
It stunned the home crowd and the England fans in the one corner of the ground could be heard celebrating especially after news came through of Sweden taking the lead against France.
Rooney then threatened again when he broke clear of the Ukraine defence but was held up before laying the ball off to James Milner who failed to make full contact on his shot.
Yarmolenko missed a great chance to level after 61 minutes when he headed over the bar from close range.
But a minute late there was controversy when a shot from Devic appeared to have crossed the goal line before John Terry cleared the ball.
Ukraine appealed in vain in an incident which brought back memories of the disallowed goal by Frank Lampard against Germany during the 2010 World Cup.
Tymoshchuk was booked for bringing down Parker on the edge of the Ukraine box as England hit back on the counter-attack immediately.
And Pyatov did well to prevent Ashley Cole from doubling England’s lead when he turned his volley around the post.
Rooney went off to rapturous applause on 86 minutes and was replaced by Arsenal youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The Arsenal youngster had a great opportunity to play in club-mate Theo Walcott but it mattered not as England topped Group D.
And his goal three minutes into the second half saw England top Group D after France were beaten 2-0 by Sweden.
It means Roy Hodgson's men will face Italy in the last eight on Sunday.
Rooney was visibly buoyed by his return to the side and said: “Obviously I was delighted with the win and to score.
“I haven’t scored at a major tournament for a while (since 2004) so it was nice to get a goal which won us the game.
“We stuck in well at times against a difficult crowd and overall we deserved the win.”
He added: "The main thing was to get through the group and to finish top.
“We know our qualities and what we’re capable of. We’ve worked hard, done a lot of tactical play in training.
“We’re difficult to beat and I don’t think any team will fancy playing us.”
Ukraine had the better of the possession in the opening period but Joe Hart was only tested once — stopping a low effort from Andriy Yarmolenko.
Rooney missed a great chance to put England ahead after 28 minutes.
Terry found Young in space on the left and his cross picked out the unmarked striker.
But he appeared almost too casual in attacking the ball and directed his header wide.
Ukraine retaliated and produced their most decisive move to date two minutes later.
WINNER ... Wayne Rooney heads England into the last eight
Devic was looking sharp and relishing the chance offered to him by Shevchenko’s injury.
England tried to take the sting out of the game with a spell of possession.
But there was a sense of expectation from the home fans every time their side ventured forward.
JOY ... Wayne Rooney is congratulated by John Terry
But Ukraine failed to muster a chance from the set-piece and England went into the break all sqaure.
However, that all changed on 48 minutes when Rooney put the Three Lions in the driving seat.
Steven Gerrard’s corner was half-cleared but the skipper received the ball back on the right flank and whipped in a dipping cross.
Andriy Pyatov failed to deal with the situation and Rooney was left with the simplest of headers at the far post to nod home his 29th goal for England.
It stunned the home crowd and the England fans in the one corner of the ground could be heard celebrating especially after news came through of Sweden taking the lead against France.
Rooney then threatened again when he broke clear of the Ukraine defence but was held up before laying the ball off to James Milner who failed to make full contact on his shot.
Yarmolenko missed a great chance to level after 61 minutes when he headed over the bar from close range.
CONTROVERSY ... John Terry hooks Marko Devic's effort clear after it crossed the goal line
Ukraine appealed in vain in an incident which brought back memories of the disallowed goal by Frank Lampard against Germany during the 2010 World Cup.
Tymoshchuk was booked for bringing down Parker on the edge of the Ukraine box as England hit back on the counter-attack immediately.
And Pyatov did well to prevent Ashley Cole from doubling England’s lead when he turned his volley around the post.
Rooney went off to rapturous applause on 86 minutes and was replaced by Arsenal youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The Arsenal youngster had a great opportunity to play in club-mate Theo Walcott but it mattered not as England topped Group D.
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