England and France both advanced to the quarterfinals of Euro 2012 last night, but did so in very different styles.
While England was ending its unwanted record of never having beaten the host of a major tournament, France's 24-game unbeaten streak was ended by already eliminated Sweden, which won 2-0.
In Donetsk, Wayne Rooney scored on his Euro 2012 debut, giving England a 1-0 victory over Ukraine and a quarter-final berth as Group D winners - and knocking the co-hosts out of the tournament.
After missing the first two games due to suspension, Rooney tallied the only goal of the match in the 48th minute in front of 48,700 spectators.
England finished first in group D with seven points and will take on Italy in the quarters on Sunday in Kiev. France took second place with four points and will face reigning world and European champions Spain in the final eight on Saturday in Donetsk.
Ukraine shared the same fate as co-hosts Poland and were eliminated with three points in third place, ahead of last-placed Sweden, who also had three.
The first chance went to the Ukrainians after seven minutes though Garmash's attempt from 30 yards sailed just over the framework, which was also the fate of Oleh Gusev's blast from slightly closer in the 22nd minute.
Rooney finally finally threatened in the 28th minute, but the Manchester United star headed just wide.
The English grabbed the lead just three minutes after the re-start as Steven Gerrard's cross from the right side was deflected by a Ukrainian defender and when the ball squirmed past Ukraine 'keeper Andriy Pyatov, Rooney was left all alone at the far post to head in the first goal.
The co-hosts appeared to be robbed of a goal in the 62nd minute as Devic's counter attack shot was deflected by England keeper Joe Hart looping toward the goalline, but England's John Terry cleared the ball at the line.
The goalline assistant did not signal a goal and the referee allowed ball to continue, though television replays showed the ball had fully crossed the line before Terry's clearance.
In Kiev, a below-par France ended the group stage as runners-up, despite a superb Zlatan Ibrahimovic strike and a late Sebastian Larsson goal condemning them to a 2-0 defeat by Sweden.
Already eliminated, the Swedes had clearly decided they were not going down without a fight and they flew into challenges from the first whistle.
With the French through as long as Ukraine did not win, there was always the chance of a dull game but both sides played with commitment, pace and skill.
Ibrahimovic's acrobatic volley from just inside the area, the striker swiveling to meet Larsson's cross, put already-eliminated Sweden ahead on 54 minutes in what will be a strong contender for goal of the tournament.
It was Sweden's first victory over the French since 1969 and France's first defeat in 24 games.
