Ukraine’s press yesterday praised Andriy Shevchenko, who scored twice in the country’s 2-1 win over Sweden, hoping that victory against France in the next match will take them through to the knockout stages.

“Twenty men ran while two masters played,” champion.com.ua quoted ex-Russia player Evgeny Lovchev as saying, referring to former European footballer of the year Shevchenko and Sweden’s goalscorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Lovchev added: “God has helped people like Shevchenko.

“He’s suffered from injuries and his career seemed to be over. But what a match he played! The master did everything required, which confirms his class and greatness.”

The former coach of Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk, Jozsef Szabo, was just as enthusiastic, calling Shevchenko “admirable, a delight”.

The two experts said that Ukraine had a chance to finish in the top two of Group D after they play their next matches against France and England on June 15 and 19 in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk.

“Ukraine still has difficult matches to come as France and England have great players. But with this momentum, they’ve got a chance to finish top or second in the group,” Lovchev added.

Szabo said Ukraine’s chances of qualifying had now “considerably increased”, adding: “Our players have a few days to recover fully before playing Les Bleus. The main thing is to have the same support in Donetsk (as in Kiev) and they’ll make it.”