Hysén condemns Ukraine to Kharkiv defeat

A goal in the second minute of added time from Tobias Hysén earned Sweden victory against UEFA EURO 2012 co-hosts Ukraine, who have won just one of their last nine matches.

In a game notable for its missed chances and the performance of both goalkeepers, Hysén, a substitute, sprung the offside trap and beat Andriy Dykan with the deftest of touches. Ukraine, who drew 1-1 with Sweden in February, return to action on 2 September against Copa América winners Uruguay while Erik Hamrén's men play Hungary in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group E.

With Andriy Yarmolenko, Oleh Gusev, Oleksandr Shovkovskiy, Taras Mikhalik, Yaroslav Rakitskiy and Dmytro Chygrynskiy absent due to injury, Ukraine saw little of the ball in the early stages. For all Sweden's possession, however, Dykan was not called into action until five minutes before the break, when he advanced from his goal line to deny Christian Wilhelmsson with the angle forever narrowing.

Opposite number Andreas Isaksson soon became the busier keeper, the PSV Eindhoven No1 repelling free-kicks from Maxym Kalynychenko and Andriy Shevchenko. He also thwarted Marko Dević when the ball struck the back of a defender and dropped for the FC Metalist Kharkiv striker − playing in his home stadium − inside the penalty area.

After the break, Alexander Gerndt forced Dykan into another save, while Isaksson's reflexes were tested when stopping Olexiy Gai's close-range shot and a pair of free-kicks from Yevhen Konoplyanka. However, with a draw seeming the inevitable outcome, Hysén ran on to a through ball and flicked the ball beyond Dykan with his outstretched left boot.