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England goalkeeper Robert Green leaves the pitch after being red-carded for fouling Ukraine's Artem Milevskiy - Source: Reuters -
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Ukraine ended already-qualified England's perfect World Cup run with a deserved 1-0 home win in Group Six on Sunday that gave the home side a great chance of reaching the playoffs.
England had won their first eight games to secure top spot in the group but their chances of extending that run virtually disappeared after 14 minutes when goalkeeper Robert Green was sent off for bringing down Artem Milevskiy.
Andriy Shevchenko missed the resulting penalty but Ukraine, who created several chances throughout the game, got the decisive goal after 29 minutes when Sergiy Nazarenko's shot flew in via an Ashley Cole deflection.
The victory took Ukraine to 18 points, one ahead of Croatia. Ukraine complete their fixtures with a trip to pointless Andorra on Wednesday while Croatia visit Kazakhstan.
Ukraine started the game in lively fashion and England were forced into some desperate defending.
The pressure proved too much for centre back Rio Ferdinand who blundered to allow Milevskiy through on goal.
As he touched the ball past the onrushing Green, the keeper brought him crashing down and was sent off.
England brought on David James, sacrificing winger Aaron Lennon, and the new keeper was sent the wrong way by Shevchenko's penalty - which unfortunately for the striker hit a post and missed.
The hosts continued to press, however, and deserved their lead, albeit helped by a deflection off the head of defender Ashley Cole who stooped and attempted to divert it to safety.
Milevskiy clattered a shot against a post soon after while James made several good stops, including a superb diving effort to turn away Yaroslav Rakytsky's long shot.
England gathered control and pace in the second half, with Wayne Rooney a constant menace.
He and Frank Lampard had half-chances but Ukraine's defence held firm.
