Ukraine Line-Up: Piatov, Mikhalik, Selin, Khacheridi, Tymoshchuk, Nazarenko (Milevskiy, 59'), Gusev, Yarmolenko (Aliev, 67') , Konoplyanka, Shevchenko (c), Voronin (Devich, 45')
France Line-Up: Lloris, Mexes, Clichy, Rami, Debuchy, Diarra, Ribery (c), Cabaye, Benzema (Giroud, 74') , Menez (Martin, 72'), Nasri
Les Bleus put themselves at the top of Group D after both teams weathered a storm. During the French national anthem, the thunder storms began but play was allowed to start. By the four minute mark, lightning strikes were over the stadium and the referee had no option but to suspend the match.
After an hour, the rain simmered down and the players returned to the pitch to restart the match. The rain had affected the pitch and it had an adverse effect on the play. The first half was bogged down in the mid-field and any chances that did occur were either fired over or rolled into the keepers' hands.
The second half was much more attacking and France were under the cosh for part of it. This was after they had taken the lead just seven minutes into the half when Jeremy Menez was put through by Karim Benzema following a counter attack, Menez took a touch before rifling a shot into the bottom corner.
Ukraine were then caught by the sucker punch when Benzema once again played his part. The Madrid striker fed the ball through to Yohan Cabaye and the Newcastle mid-fielder smashed his shot home just three minutes after initially taking the lead.
The partisan crowd didn't give up hope, even when Cabaye almost made it 3-0. They began to dominate possession and Cabaye hit a shot that was kept out by the post. Lloris did have work to do, most notably dealing with numerous corners as Ukraine failed to get themselves back into the game.
No comments:
Post a Comment