Ukraine have beaten France tonight in the first leg of their World Cup playoff.

The first bit of goalmouth action fell to France when Mathieu Debuchy swung in a cross to Olivier Giroud, but the Arsenal striker's header was weak and saved by Andriy Pyatov.

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Andriy Yarmolenko then showed his first attacking intent of the match, running down the right before cutting in, but his shot failed to trouble Hugo Lloris.

Ukraine almost took the lead halfway through the first period. Yarmolenko hooked the ball over his own head to Ruslan Rotan. He then ran down the line and crossed the ball to Edmar Aparesida, whose diving header went just wide.

Again the home side came close and again it was Yarmolenko at the heart of their good play. This time he slid in Edmar, who pulled the ball back in the centre to Yevhen Konoplyanka. However, the shot was blocked by Mathieu Debuchy.

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The goal did come, however, with 15 minutes played in the second half. Edmar knocked the ball down to Roman Zozulya, who squeezed his shot past Lloris.

France nearly found an equaliser through Samir Nasri but, after Giroud had put him through, he shot straight at Pyatov.

The night got worse for the visitors with 10 minutes remaining. Laurent Koscielny conceded a penalty, which Yarmolenko drilled down the middle for 2-0.

Koscielny then completed a miserable evening for the French with a sending-off in stoppage time. However, Olexandr Kucher ensured that Ukraine also ended the match with 10 men after picking up his second yellow card.

Written by
Gary Peters