Euro 2004 qualifying match

Spain 2 - Ukraine 1

Two second-half goals from Raúl saved the day for Spain against a battling Ukraine who didn't give up until the last minute. All the action took place in the second half after a dull first 45 minutes in which neither side really tested the opposing keeper. Iñaki Sáez's side had an opportunity to take the lead soon after the break when the referee ruled that Etxeberría had been fouled by Dmytrulin in the penalty area. Fernando Torres stepped up confidently to take the kick in only his second appearance for his country, but struck the ball weakly at keeper Shovkovskiy. It could have been a costly miss as Shevchenko hit the bar at the other end and Federov headed the rebound wide in front of goal. But a few minutes later Raúl picked up Baraja's pass to score from the edge of the area, and the captain added a second twelve minutes later, heading in on the far post after the keeper failed to read a long corner from substitute Reyes. Shevchenko pulled one back though seven minutes from the end, and Casillas had to be at his best to keep out the Milan striker in injury time. The win assures Spain of at least second place in their group, although they could still finish first if they can beat Armenia and leaders Greece drop points against Northern Ireland next month. (10.09.03)