France overcame a one-goal deficit in Monday’s 4-1 win against Ukraine whom they thwarted at the Donbass Arena. Timoshchuk opened the score for the hosts early in the second part, but it was France to score four more, three of which within the last three minutes of play. It was a spectacular meeting between the two sides who know each other very well, given the many friendlies the two sides use to set. Gusiev was the first to miss a golden chance in the 41st minute. The right midfielder was picked in the middle to start a long distance drive the finish of which missed the target.
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France got their first big chance in the extra-time through Gameiro who mocked a good opportunity from ten yards out. A short deflection highlighted the striker inside the box, but his finish was denied by a well-placed keeper Pyatov who tipped the ball away. The half time went scoreless for both sides, but the first goal was just a matter of time. Ukraine started the second part much better than their visitors, managing to take the first lead just eight minutes into it. The 53rd minute found Oleg Blokhin’s side recovering the ball in the middle and starting a superb combinative action between Nazarenko, Rotan and Timoshschuk. The latter one was played 30 yards out only to fire a range tricky shot past keeper Mandadna for a lovely opener.
Laurent Blanc’s side then started to chase their leveler and were very close to do so in the 55th minute, but neither Menez, nor Remy was able to break through. But just a couple of minutes later, Gameiro made it 1-1 following an individual exquisite which showed the striker dancing between two defenders and hitting past Pyatov from inside the box. Ukraine won a free-kick in the 72nd minute Timoshchuk opted to strike it goalwards. The powerful shot went just inches wide above the top left corner to his own dismay. Ten minutes later, Benzema, who had been introduced in the 65th minute, mocked a great opportunity which should have brought the French the first lead. Real Madrid star created a wonderful action on the right side of the box, beating two defenders but shooting wide of the far post.
The same striker would miss another golden chance in the 82nd minute. Remy started a lovely action in the middle, but the finish was wasted by Benzema and saved by Pyatov. But the unexpected was yet to come. Martin made it 2-1 with an outstanding shot from 20 yards into the near post and past blinded keeper. It was the 87th minute but a couple of more goals were about to be scored. France won a corner on the left which the Ukrainian defense failed to intercept, allowing the unmarked Kaboul to head it home from close range.
Furthermore, Martin completed his double in the first minute of the stoppage time. Another mistake from the Ukraine’s defense allowed the French to win the ball 20 yards out and develop a quick action which involved Benzema and the same Martin. Real’s striker picked the newly-introduced inside the box for a lovely shot into the top of the roof. Blokhin made five changes, introducing Milevsky, Kozhanov, Hacherydy, Khudobyak and Seleznyov for Devic, Husyev, Voronin, Nazarenko and Kucher respectively. On the other side, Blanc made all his six changes in the second part, replacing Sakho, Cabaye, Matuidi, Remy, Gameiro and Menez with Diaby, Martin, Benzema, Malouda, Ribery and Abidal.
Both Ukraine and France skipped this week’s Euro 2012 qualifying round, reason for which they set the traditional friendly. Laurent Blanc’s side are top in the group D with 13 points, four above their main followers Belarus. The new coach refused to select William Gallas for the team’s qualifying round, something which led to player’s retirement from the national team. It was said that the best would be selected and I think this season I was one of the best French players in my position. Well if it’s like that … I have drawn a line under my international career,” said the disappointed who was sent home from the 2010 South African tournament after setting a boycott against former coach Raymond Domenech. “I’ve had 16 years at the top level and one decision, one mistake has screwed up everything,” added Gallas.
Ukraine – Pyatov; Shevchuk, Ischenko, Kucher, Kobin; Nazarenko, Rotan, Timoshchuk, Husyev; Voronin, Devic. Reserves: E. Hacherydy, A. Milevsky, I. Khudobyak, T. Seleznyov, D. Kozhanov, A. Fedetskyy, V. Mandzuk, A. Dikan, S. Kravchenko, D. Olynik.
France – Mandanda; Reveillere, Kaboul, Sakho, Evra; M’Vila; Cabaye, Matuidi; Remy, Menez, Gameiro. Reserves: A. Diaby, M. Martin, K. Benzema, E. Abidal, F. Maluda, F. Ribery, A. Diarra, C. N’Zogbia, M. Valbuena, A. Rami, C. Carrasso.
