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0 vs 2
Played
June 15, 2012 12:00 PM EDT
Donbass Arena — Donets'k
Referee:‬ B. Kuipers‎
Attendance:‬ 48000‎
 
 
 
Yohan Cabaye 56′
   
 
 

Euro 2012 Player Ratings: Ukraine 0-2 France

Menez and Cabaye do the damage as Les Bleus ease to comfortable victory over co-hosts in Donetsk

By James Goldman in Donetsk

  • Andriy Pyatov
    15
    4
    3.50

    Andriy Pyatov

    Made a superb instinctive first-half stop from Menez, before diving full-length to turn a Mexes header round the post. Beaten at his near post for the opener but to criticize would be harsh considering his previous heroics. No chance with Cabaye's goal.

  • Yevhen Selin
    2
    7
    2.50

    Yevhen Selin

    Would have been credited with a magnificent assist for a superb long pass which picked out Shevchenko 10 minutes before the interval, only for the striker to blast his shot straight at Lloris. Was caught out by Menez on more occasions than Blokhin would have liked.

  • Yevhen  Khacheridi
    2
    8
    2.50

    Yevhen Khacheridi

    A monster of a center half who just loves to attack the ball, but doesn’t look particularly elegant when he’s on it. Looked assured enough when the play was in front of him but struggled for pace when in a foot race with Benzema.

  • Taras Mykhalyk
    2
    7
    2.00

    Taras Mykhalyk

    Ukraine's tower of power enjoyed a dominant first half up against Benzema but was nowhere to be seen for either of France's two goals.

  • Anatoliy Tymoshchuk
    5
    9
    2.00

    Anatoliy Tymoshchuk

    One suicidal pass back almost resulted in the opening goal for Menez but was his usual unfussy and unselfish self. Superbly disciplined throughout and did a good job in keep Nasri quiet.

  • Oleh Husyev
    2
    10
    1.50

    Oleh Husyev

    Not a night he'll look back on with particular fondness. Was at fault for Cabaye's strike and looked particularly ponderous throughout.

  • Serhiy Nazarenko
    2
    10
    1.50

    Serhiy Nazarenko

    Huffed and puffed but was not at his most influential did his best to get up and support his front players but tired as the game went on and it was no surprise when he was subbed on the hour mark.

  • Yevhen Konoplyanka
    4
    9
    2.00

    Yevhen Konoplyanka

    A busy, bustling winger who is comfortable in possession but once or twice made the wrong decision when in promising positions.

  • Andriy Shevchenko
    42
    2
    3.50

    Andriy Shevchenko

    Continued to roll back the years Provided two of his sides' better moments with one volley pushed out by Lloris and then one spanking drive that narrowly cleared the angle of post and bar.

  • Andriy Voronin
    6
    13
    1.50

    Andriy Voronin

    Devoid of the pony tail, which in part made him a laughing stock at Liverpool, he was even more anonymous than usual and was taken off at half-time.

  • Andriy Yarmolenko
    22
    2
    3.50

    Andriy Yarmolenko

    Offered one of the brighter notes in what was otherwise a pretty uninspiring performance from the home side. Tall, rangy and no small measure of skill, he showed promise but rarely, if ever got the better of Clichy.

Substitutions

  • Oleksandr Aliyev
    2
    7
    1.50

    Oleksandr Aliyev

    Brought on for the impressive Yarmolenko but failed to make any sort of impression. Skied one free kick from a very dangerous area way over the crossbar.

  • Artem Milevsky
    1
    11
    1.00

    Artem Milevsky

    A tall, hulking striker who could have been expected to make life difficult for Rami and Mexes, but his threat was snuffed out with ease.

  • Marko Devic
    11
    3
    3.00

    Marko Devic

    Was brought on at the break and was certainly more effective than the man he replaced with several promising runs that promised much, but ultimately delivered little.

  • Hugo Lloris
    28
    4
    2.50

    Hugo Lloris

    Showed expert positional sense to ensure he was in the right place to block Shevchenko's blast. Was otherwise, largely untroubled in what was another quiet night for the Lyon shot stopper.

  • Mathieu Debuchy
    27
    2
    3.00

    Mathieu Debuchy

    Another assured performance from the Lille right-back who is ensuring Bacary Sagna's injury isn't being too keenly felt. There's a real dearth of top class right-backs in world football at present, and he's sticking out like a saw thumb for the right reasons.

  • Adil Rami
    13
    17
    2.00

    Adil Rami

    Caught horribly out of position for Shevchenko's first half opportunity and was lucky to have been rescued by his goalkeeper. Looks to have the right tools at his disposal, but too often lacks concentration.

  • Philippe Mexes
    28
    4
    3.00

    Philippe Mexes

    Looks the most assured of the two France center backs but that really isn’t saying much. Attacked the ball with vigor and was extremely unlucky not to open the scoring with a meaty first half header

  • Gael Clichy
    27
    5
    3.00

    Gael Clichy

    The Manchester City man was a shock inclusion at the expense of Patrice Evra but justified his manager’s faith with solid all-round contribution and deserves to keep his place in the team.

  • Yohan Cabaye
    51
    1
    3.50

    Yohan Cabaye

    The Newcastle man was quiet against England and quieter still here until he popped with a superbly taken goal and further crisp strike that crashed against the post. More of a subtle prompter for his national side than the all-action dynamo he is in the Premier League

  • Franck Ribéry
    72
    2
    4.00

    Franck Ribéry

    Was somewhere near his mercurial best in the first-half and gave Ukraine's right-back a torrid opening 20 minutes or so. Were it not for Menez's wastefulness he would have been credited with several assists. A real threat throughout.

  • Samir Nasri
    59
    8
    3.50

    Samir Nasri

    Dropped into a deeper position and although he linked the play neatly enough, he was nowhere near as threatening as he had been against England, although his influence grew as the game wore on and pockets of space emerged.

  • Jérémy Menez
    39
    6
    3.50

    Jérémy Menez

    Really should not have been caught off-side in the 17th minute when he was played in by Ribery and missed another glorious first-half chance from point-blank range. Booked for a cynical tackle on Shevchenko and could have been sent-off right on half time for another senseless tackle. Made amends with a neatly taken goal to cap a swift counter. More than justified his surprise selection.

  • Alou Diarra
    35
    7
    3.50

    Alou Diarra

    Performs the anchor role in this French midfield with a quiet distinction. He might lack the thrust of Patrick Vieira but those telescopic long legs make just as many important interceptions as the former Arsenal man did in his prime.

  • Karim Benzema
    126
    10
    4.00

    Karim Benzema Top of the Match

    Isolated again and did most of his best work with his back to goal outside, of the penalty area, including the final pass for Menez's opener and Cabaye's strike. Impressive as the Real Madrid man was, Blanc must still work out a way of getting the very best out of his premier striker if his side are to progress deep into the competition.

Substitutions

  • Yann M'Vila
    22
    4
    2.50

    Yann M'Vila

    Introduced at the mid point of the second half and was allowed to gently ease his way into the tournament. Was not at his best, but understandably so having not played since May 20.

  • Marvin Martin
    15
    3
    2.50

    Marvin Martin

    Like all of France's attacking players he looks neat and tidy but was not given enough time to really show what he is capable of.

  • Olivier Giroud
    19
    6
    2.50

    Olivier Giroud

    The in demand striker was given just 15 minutes to make an impression.

Player Ratings
Tournament
Position
Ranking
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Fernando Torres Fernando Torres
Striker
Chelsea
3 0
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid
3 0
Mario Gomez Mario Gomez
Striker
FC Bayern München
3 0
Mario Balotelli Mario Balotelli
Striker
Milan
3 0
Mario Mandzukic Mario Mandzukic
Striker
FC Bayern München
3 0