Ukraine and France clashed in Kiev on Friday night for a place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The Ukrainians were pipped at the post by England in Group H of European qualifying while Les Bleus finished second in Group I to Spain.
However, Ukraine are in the driving seat heading into the return leg in Paris on Tuesday, as they picked up a comfortable win at the Olympic Stadium in a heated encounter.
Read how the match unfolded in our live commentary below.
Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage from Kiev where Ukraine host France in the first leg of the World Cup 2014 qualification playoffs.
A lot is on the line tonight as these two nations go head to head for a place in Brazil next summer. Both finished runners-up in their respective groups, but only one can make the most of their second chance and get on the plane to South America next summer.
Tonight's hosts Ukraine got the better of countries such as Montenegro and Poland in Group H, but were denied an automatic spot at the World Cup on the final match day thanks to Roy Hodgson's England. Having come that close, Mykhaylo Fomenko will be determined to make sure that Ukraine are in action next summer.
Meanwhile, the writing was on the wall for a long for Didier Deschamps' France team. Pitted in Group I alongside reigning world and european champions Spain, Les Bleus was always expected to finish behind La Roja and try their chance at qualifying through this two-legged playoff. It was never really in doubt that France would find themselves in this situation, but that doesn't mean that it's job done for them by any means.
Before we get into more detail, let's bring you the teams.
UKRAINE XI: Pyatov, Fedetskyi, Khacheridi, Rakitskyi, Shevchuk, Tymoschuk, Rotan, Yarmolenko, Edmar, Konoplyanka, Zozulya
So Fomenko has opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation deploying Roman Zozulya as the lone striker.
One man to keep your eye on is Dynamo Kiev's Andriy Yarmolenko. He is a wide forward who likes to cut in from the right to spank a shot at goal with his powerful left foot. His club teammate Konoplyanka is another worth watching.
It's a big night for 34-year-old Anatoliy Tymoschuk, who is the most experienced player on the field for Ukraine tonight.
Right, let's take a look at what France have to offer.
FRANCE XI: Lloris, Debuchy, Koscielny, Abidal, Evra, Pogba, Matuidi, Remy, Nasri, Ribery, Giroud
Deschamps also opts for the 4-2-3-1 formation, with Tottenham Hotspur's Hugo Lloris deemed fit enough to play following his recent injury, and captains the side tonight.
There are starts for Newcastle United pair Mathieu Debuchy and Loic Remy down the right, with their partnership preferred to Bacary Sagna of Arsenal. There is also no place in the starting lineup for Marseille maestro Mathieu Valbuena.
Meanwhile Olivier Giroud leads the attack for Les Bleus, with him getting the better of Karim Benzema in recent months.
France go into this match on a much-improved run of form. Earlier this year they set a new country record for the longest period of time without scoring, but have since notched 13 times in their last three outings.
This is the second consecutive time that France will have to progress in the playoffs to guarantee their place at the World Cup. Four years ago they rather fortunately edged past Republic of Ireland to secure their place in South Africa.
These two nations last met in the group stages at Euro 2012, where France got the better of Ukraine on that day. However, a lot has changed since then, with both countries now under new management.
The big player of this fixture is, arguably, Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, who has been France's main man in recent times. Fomenko is well aware of the the threat posed by the UEFA Football of the Year.
Fomenko: "Ribery is very strong, but we have examined France's matches and we can't say that my players are afraid of him."
An interesting point that is well worth keeping tabs on tonight is that Ukraine have 10 players who risk missing the second leg if they pick up a yellow card.
Meanwhile, Deschamps has told the media that his France team are not in the slightest bit nervous about the match.
Deschamps: "Nobody is afraid. This match is something else, crucial in terms of qualification for the World Cup. The players are excited, not scared. But that doesn't mean that we can afford to forget that the Ukrainians also want to go to the World Cup and are capable of causing us problems.
"I have not had any negative thoughts, or pressure or tension. That would go against what I ask of my players. If I ask them to be calm while I have sweat dripping off me, they won't believe me."
We're just a few minutes away from kick off at the Olympic Stadium.
The teams are out and ready for kick off.
KICK OFF! France get the first leg underway.
Ukraine are sporting their all-yellow home kit and playing from right to left. France are attacking the right in their all-blue first strip.
It's been a scrappy start here, with both teams committing a number of early fouls. Neither keeper has had anything to do yet.
SAVE! First bit of goalmouth action as Debuchy, at the second attempt, swings in a decent cross towards Giroud at the far post. The Arsenal man does well to rise above his marker, but his header lacks any real power and is an easy catch for Pyatov.
SAVE! Now there is action at the other end as Yarmolenko, surely not for the last time this match, attacks down the right before cutting in on his stronger left foot, and hits a low effort at goal from the edge of the area. However, like Giroud's recent header, the shot was tame and easy enough for Lloris.
The game's picking up.
It looks as if Ukraine are targeting Evra when on the attack, with the hope that he commits against the pacey Yarmolenko.
Giroud gives away a free kick, not for the first time in this match, on the edge of the Ukraine box for going shoulder to shoulder with Shevchuk.
There's a Mexican wave currently doing the rounds at the Olympic Stadium. Not sure whether that is due to a lack of action on the field, but it's not been that bad.
Ribery is causing all sorts of problems for Ukraine at the moment. He is not afraid of running at the opposition, and very nearly found Giroud in the box just then, but the ball was put behind for a corner.
The corner comes to nothing.
It's been pretty even so far, Ukraine understandably cautious in attack as to not get caught on the break for the fear of conceding an away goal.
Debuchy slides in on Konoplyanka in the box to make the initial tackle. He went all in guns blazing there and needs to be a bit more careful.
France are just about shading it at the moment, but we've not had too much action to report.
A little nugget of information for you while we wait for these two players to recover from a clash. Ukraine have never beaten France, with Les Bleus winning four of their previous seven meetings.
France are trying a lot of over the top balls towards Giroud in attack, but it's asking a lot of the Arsenal man to get on the end of these as well as holding it up. It seems a bit lazy from the midfield, and hasn't worked so far.
This one nearly did though. Nasri pings a pass up on the left of the box to Giroud, who nods the ball down into the path of Remy, but he couldn't sidestep Shevchuk.
CLOSE! The hosts nearly go in front. Yarmolenko hooks the ball over his own head to Rotan in behind him. He runs down the right and curls in a teasing ball into the area. Edmar dives at the ball, but his header creeps just wide of the far post.
Ukraine have had the better chances so far and have looked more dangerous on the attack. Konoplyanka found himself free inside the box just then, but his shot was blocked by Debuchy.
Debuchy has had a right battle against Konoplyanka on the near flank so far. The Newcastle man is doing alright so far though.
YELLOW CARD Shevchuk goes into the book for clattering Remy late on. He isn't one of the players who needed to avoid a yellow prior to the game, although now he obviously does.
Wow. About 30 seconds after he's just been booked, Shevchuk has his arms all over Remy in the box as Ribery crosses in towards him. That's almost suicidal from the hugging Ukrainian, but he gets away with it on this occasion, despite protests from Remy and Giroud.
CHANCE! Wonderful play from Ukraine nearly finds them in, but Debuchy keeps France level. Yarmolenko slides in Edmar brilliantly, who pulls the ball back in the centre to Konoplyanka. He hits his effort first time and it's destined for the back of the net, but Debuchy makes a crucial block to concede the corner.
Giroud is growing increasingly frustrated in attack for France. He is very isolated and giving away a few fouls when scrapping with defenders, but doesn't seem to be winning any decisions.
Ukraine have all the momentum at the moment, and France will be happy if they can stay level heading into the break.
We will have one extra minute.
YELLOW CARD Olivier Giroud goes into the book for clashing with Kucher on the edge of the box, he is really growing annoyed and needs to be careful. It was a late challenge on Kucher from behind, but there didn't look to be a huge amount of contact.
HALF TIME: Ukraine 0-0 France
It's been a game of half-chances so far, with neither keeper being forced into making a save of note.
Ukraine have looked the better side on the attack, and only some last-ditch defending from France may have prevented them from scoring.
The teams are back out in Kiev.
KICK OFF! Ukraine, playing to the right, get the match back underway.
Giroud wins a free kick on the edge of the box against two Ukraine defenders and looks relieved to have got the decision.
Ribery whips the free kick into the box which Giroud flicks on from the edge of the box. Khacheridi is all over the Arsenal man as Pyatov makes the save, but nothing is given.
France have come out looking the stronger since the break, but are being frustrated by Ukraine. They have a corner from the left now though.
Ribery takes it but it's too close to Pyatov, who catches.
France are awarded a free kick 25 yards out, slightly left of centre. It's a great position for a right-footed player, with Ribery and Nasri over it.
Disappointing as Ribery smashes it into the wall, but Remy's good run and cross down the right wins a corner.
Fedetskiy gets the ball around 30 yards out and has a pop from range. His effort goes well over the bar though, and proves why he is a defender.
There's been a real lack of cutting edge so far in this second half. Remy is chipped in by Pogba, who brilliantly turned his marker, but he can't convert. The flag had stayed down.
Konoplyanka cuts in from the left and hits a shot with his right foot. The power forces Lloris to spill it, but he has nobody around him and can claim it the second time around.
Matuidi swings in an inviting cross from the left to Giroud, who rises towards the ball, but it's just a fraction too high for him.
Looks as if France are preparing a change.
GOAL! Ukraine 1-0 France (Roman Zozulya)
Kiev is rocking as the hosts take the lead! Ukraine work it in from the left where Edmar knocks the ball down to Zozulya, and he gets away from Koscielny and squeezes the ball past Lloris, who got a hand to it.
Ukraine nearly find themselves in again straight away, but France can clear the danger at the last minute.
Ukraine have a second wind here and are constantly coming at France. Les Bleus need to weather the storm at the moment.
SAVE! Massive chance squandered by Nasri. Giroud wins the ball excellently before sliding in Nasri. He's practically one on one with the keeper, by Pyatov stands strong, comes off his line, and makes the save.
France seem a bit lacklustre in attack tonight. Matuidi and Pogba, the two holding midfielders, have been excellent for them.
FRANCE CHANGE Remy is replaced by Newcastle teammate Sissoko.
Sissoko straight away works a shooting opportunity on the edge of the box, by Pyatov can comfortably save.
YELLOW CARD Fedetskiy goes into the book for a poor challenge.
FRANCE CHANGE Straight swap in attack as Benzema replaces Giroud.
France may be behind, but remember that away goals are active in these playoffs, and if they could get one it wouldn't half change the mood.
Interesting incident here as Ukraine ask for a penalty. Zozulya runs onto a long ball over the top, wriggling past Abidal before going down in the box. The referee tells him to get up.
YELLOW CARD Sissoko goes into the book for a late challenge on the touchline.
UKRAINE CHANGE Edmar, who did brilliantly to assist the goal, is taken off. Roman Bezus comes on.
Ribery creates some space for himself on the edge of the D and hits a low shot towards the bottom corner, but it's too weak and easily stopped by Pyatov.
FRANCE CHANGE Nasri is replaced by Valbuena, who may consider himself unlucky not to have started this match.
CLOSE! Frustration continues to grow as Koscielny rises and gets his head on the ball from a corner. He flicks it at the near post across goal, but it flies just over.
PENALTY TO UKRAINE!
Huge chance for Ukraine. Koscielny bundles over Zozulya after he was easily turned in the box.
GOAL! Ukraine 2-0 France (Andriy Yarmolenko)
How important could that goal be in this tie? Yarmolenko steps up and drills the ball down the middle off the underside of the crossbar. No chance for Lloris.
France have committed men forward to the attack now, and they simply have to. It's a risk, but one they have to take.
UKRAINE CHANGE Zozulya, who has played well tonight and scored the opener, comes off Yevhen Zeleznyov.
Ukraine are trying to hit France on the counter now. Les Bleus have nearly everyone forward in a desperate attempt to find an away goal.
RED CARD! France's night goes from bad to worse as Laurent Koscielny is sent off. Looked as if he hit Kucher in the face off the ball, although the Ukraine man seemed to make the most of it.
We will have one extra minute, although that will now be more due to the sending off.
Lloris comes and punches a cross clear.
RED CARD! Kucher has now been given his marching orders after he picks up his second yellow for a foul on Ribery.
Benzema to take this free kick from 30 yards out. It deflects off the top of the wall for a corner.
FULL TIME: Ukraine 2-0 France
Delight for Ukraine, disaster for France. Zozulya and Yarmolenko with the goals for the hosts that have put Ukraine firmly in control heading into the return leg in Paris.
To make matters worse for France, Koscielny was sent off for raising his hands on Kucher, which means he will now miss the return match on Tuesday. Kucher was also dismissed for a second yellow late on.
France have it all to do then when they meet on Tuesday at the Stade de France.
That's all from me tonight. I hope you enjoyed the game, until next time, it's goodnight.
Written by
Matt Cotton
Matt Cotton
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