Day 8

Ukraine 0-2 France

France managed to overcome host nation Ukraine, and their unpredictable weather, in a storm-interrupted match at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk. Two goals in three minutes from Jeremy Menez and Yohan Cabaye scaled the win for the French, who closed in on a Quarter Final's place.

The match began as usual, however was suspended after just 4 minutes by Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers following a heavy storm. Lightning and thunder tore over the stadium, leaving Kuipers with no other choice but to delay the match.

When play got back under way after an hour's delay, the French began their domination. Ukrainian keeper Andriy Pyatov was called into action a number of times in the opening 45 minutes, however did his job to keep the French goalless at the break.

However after the interval a three minute burst changed the game. Menez started the party on 53 minutes. The winger cut inside his marker before slotting his shot past the inside post of Pyatov to give the French side the lead.

Just moments later and they'd doubled it. Karim Benzema fed Cabaye on the edge of the area, and he turned onto his left foot before shooting across the keeper and into the back of the net for his first ever international goal.

Ukraine were being urged on by their loud home fans, but it was the French who were in control of the match. Following a fluent passing move where the Ukrainians simply couldn't get the ball, Cabaye drove at goal, however saw his effort crash against the post.

But France had done enough, and they moved closer to qualification from Group D with a solid 2-0 win.

Sweden 2-3 England

England fought from a goal behind to rescue all three points in a seesawing clash at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, eliminating Sweden in the process. Andy Carroll had initially put the English ahead, before a double from Olof Mellberg swung the advantage back in Sweden's favour. However Theo Walcott's introduction from the bench proved pivotal, scoring the equaliser before setting up Danny Welbeck for a late winner.

Carroll was a late inclusion to the starting eleven, replacing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain up front, however he paid instant dividends, giving England the lead on 23 minutes. His England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard played a delightful ball for Carroll to latch on to, and he thumped a header into the bottom corner for a fantastic goal.

Yet after taking the lead, England failed to press on for another, instead sitting back.

Some sloppy defending just four minutes into the second half then had Sweden level. Zlatan Ibrahimovic hacked a ball into the English penalty area, and their centre back Mellberg was played onside before slotting the ball into the back of the net, despite Glen Johnson's best efforts to clear the ball off the line.

England looked shocked, and it was only going to get worse ten minutes later when Mellberg had a second. Sebastian Larsson curled in a beautiful cross, which Mellberg rose to head home. Mellberg may have been an unlikely double-scorer, yet the Swedish fans didn't seem to mind.

England needed something, and Walcott provided it off the bench. Just three minutes after his introduction and he's got a leveller. Sweden only half-cleared a corner, and Walcott had a ping at goal from 25 yards out. Swedish keeper Andreas Isaksson was wrong footed by the shot, despite it not taking a deflection, and the ball looped into an empty net.

This swung the momentum back in England's favour, and on 78 minutes they had a winner following some great play by Walcott. The quick winger dribbled in between two Swedish defenders before crossing to Welbeck, whose smart finish proved vital. The United striker struck the ball off the inside of his heel, whilst turning away from his marker, to beat the keeper and score England's third. It was a great goal, and won the 3 points for England.

The loss sent Sweden packing from the European Championship, meaning they became the second nation to be officially knocked out of the tournament.

The result, like many others from Match Day 2, well and truly left their group on a knife's edge. France and England are in the box seat, but it will come down to the final round of games.

France 4 (+2)

England 4 (+1)

Ukraine 3 (-1)

Sweden 0 (-2)