A professional yet scary performance from Germany was enough to get them a 2-0 victory over an outstanding Ukraine side in the second match of Group B in Euro 2016. The World Champions looked in control of the game for the first 35 minutes, but Ukraine threatened time and again even though they were unable to make the most of their opportunities.
A first half header from defender Shkodran Mustafi gave the Germans the lead. But the Ukrainians were up to the task and wasted several chances. Bastian Schweinsteiger came off the bench in the latter stages of the game to score a superb volley to make the score 2-0 in Germany’s favour.
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Here is how the players from both the sides fared:
Germany
Manuel Neuer – 8/10
The Bayern Munich shot-stopper was the main reason Ukraine never got a goal. He made several reflex saves from close range to deny the Ukrainians. But his efforts could have gone in vain when Mustafi headed past him towards his own goal only for the ball to run out for a corner.
Benedikt Howedes – 7/10
The Schalke captain did well to play in the right-back’s role. He was very good against Konoplyanka and never gave him a sneak at goal. His attacking attributes were also on point as he got in some great crosses.
Jerome Boateng – 6/10
The Bayern Munich defender was always in top form throughout the game. He made a key goal-line clearance to deny Ukraine from scoring. All the German attacks were started from the back by him.
Shkodran Mustafi – 8/10
The Valencia defender did well to replace the injured Mats Hummels and started the game brightly with a headed goal to his name. He defended well throughout the game but had an oops moment at the very end when he headed the ball for a back pass over Manuel Neuer but gladly wide of his own goal.
Jonas Hector – 6/10
The young left-back was sharp during the early stages of the game but as the game progressed, he started to slow down and was pushed back by the Ukrainian attackers.
Sami Khedira – 6/10
The Juventus man had a good game in the middle of the park as he was quick to win the ball back for his side. He created plenty of chances for his teammates and was denied by the Ukrainian goalkeeper Pyatov.
Toni Kroos – 8/10
The Champions League winner was very sharp in midfield for the Germans. He broke up the play very well and brought a calming presence to Germany’s play. He delivered the free-kick which led to Germany’s first goal.
Mesut Ozil – 7/10
The Arsenal playmaker was a pedestrian during the first hour of the game. But he came to life in the closing stages of the game and got himself an assist for Schweinsteiger’s goal.
Thomas Muller – 6/10
The forward had a fine game for the Germans as he was sharp and linked up with his holding midfielders. But that spark was missing from his play as he wasted one clear-cut opportunity to score.
Julian Draxler – 6/10
The youngster started the game brilliantly with some good dribbles and crosses. He was sharp and created chances for himself and his team. But as the game progressed, his impact faded.
Mario Gotze – 4/10
The former Dortmund player had a very forgettable game for his side. He was anonymous throughout the game and could not make an impact. His passing was lacklustre and he lacked the zeal.
Substitutes
Andre Schurrle – 6/10
The Wolfsburg midfielder came on to replace the disappointing Gotze and was immediately denied by the Ukrainian goalkeeper.
Bastian Schweinsteiger – 8/10
The Manchester United man came on for Draxler and scored with his first touch as Ozil found him in the penalty box.
Ukraine
Andriy Pyatov – 7/10
The Shakhtar Donetsk man did well to make several reflex saves to deny the Germans and should be happy with his performance even though his conceded twice.
Artem Fedetskiy – 5/10
The Ukrainian right-back was very well equipped in attack but not quite when defending against Draxler and Muller. He had a tough outing but was not the worst player on the pitch.
Yevhen Khacheridi – 6/10
The central defender did not have a great game at the back but he did well to keep Gotze away from any scoring opportunities.
Yaroslav Rakitskiy – 5/10
He conceded the free-kick from which Germany scored the opener but the left-back did well in attack and made some darting runs forward.
Viacheslav Shevchuk – 6/10
The experienced defender was good when dealing with the threat of Müller but could not mark well during the two goals.
Yevhen Konoplyanka – 6/10
The 26-year-old was lively throughout the game and missed a great opportunity with half-time approaching. He was one of the bright sparks in the Ukraine attack.
Andriy Yarmolenko – 5/10
The Dynamo Kyiv man was not at his very best but created a great chance as he crossed the ball for Konoplyanka who failed to convert. But the winger was disappointing throughout the game as he failed to make an impact.
Viktor Kovalenko – 5/10
The 20-year-old midfielder struggled to match the Germans and failed to get the ball off his opponents throughout the first half. He could not get forward as much as he would have liked as he marked Kroos in midfield.
Taras Stepanenko – 4/10
The Shakhtar Donetsk man struggled to get involved in the game as Germany retained possession in the first half. But he helped his team in winning back possession by pressing higher up the field in the latter stages.
Sergiy Sydorchuk – 3/10
The midfielder had a very poor outing as he failed to mark and get close to Khedira or Kroos in Germany’s midfield.
Roman Zozulya – 3/10
The forward was anonymous throughout the game and failed to get involved in the Ukraine attacks as he was isolated upfront.
Substitutes
Yevhen Seleznyov – 5/10
The Shakhtar forward replaced Zozulya and did well to press the Germans but did not get any real opportunity.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – NA
The youngest ever player to represent Ukraine at a major tournament was brought on very late to replace Kovalenko and did not have much time to make any impact.
