The England striker returned from a two-match suspension to head in the lone goal Tuesday and give his team a 1-0 win against Ukraine and a spot in the European Championship quarterfinals. The co-host Ukrainians, however, will leave the tournament knowing that things could have been different.
Needing a win to advance, the Ukrainians thought they had equalized in the 62nd minute when Marko Devic's looping shot appeared to cross the line before it was hooked clear by England defender John Terry. But the goal was not awarded by the referee or his extra assistant, who was half-standing on the field only a few meters from the post.BLOG: Ukraine gets robbed on unawarded goal
"The goal that wasn't given really changed our plan because if it was given, I think the whole game could have looked another way," Ukraine captain Andriy Shevchenko said through an interpreter. "We tried to give Ukraine a gift but we weren't able to do it."
Although a draw still would have eliminated them, the equalizer would have given the team hope knowing that another goal would put Ukraine through to the quarterfinals.
"I was sad because the ball was in the goal by 1 meter," Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin said.
The controversy likely will add to the pressure on UEFA President Michel Platini to reverse his opposition to goal-line technology.
It was Rooney, however, who did manage to put his team on the scoreboard.
England captain Steven Gerrard whipped a cross into the penalty area that glanced off two defenders before Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov let it slip through his hands as he crouched to collect the ball. Rooney was primed at the far post and made it count.
"I was always putting myself in goalscoring opportunities," Rooney said. "I could've done better with a couple more but I got the goal and it's three points."
Ronney missed the first two Euro 2012 matches through suspension. He was sent off in the team's last qualifier in October and received a three-match suspension that was eventually reduced to two.
The goal was Rooney's first at a major tournament since scoring four at Euro 2004 as an 18-year-old rising star. He failed to find the net at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, while England failed to even qualify for Euro 2008.
"There was a lot of pressure on Wayne," Gerrard said. "But he stood up and when we needed him he was there."
With the victory, England won Group D and will next face Italy in Kiev on Sunday. France also advanced, despite losing to Sweden 2-0 in the other group match. Ukraine, however, will have to watch the rest of the tournament as spectators, just like co-host Poland.
At the 2010 World Cup, England midfielder Frank Lampard was denied a goal that would have leveled the match against Germany at 2-2. England ended up losing 4-1.
"To be successful you need a bit of luck," Gerrard said. "Two years ago we were unlucky with Frank Lampard and we had to pack our bags."
England is now unbeaten in five matches under Roy Hodgson, who took over the team last month following Fabio Capello's resignation in February.
"Most people didn't think we'd get out of the group," Hodgson said. "We've won it on points instead of goal difference as well. This was an away game with a capital 'A.'
"There were (50,000) people in and only 4,000 brave England fans. When we needed a bit of luck, when the ball may have crossed the line, we got a bit of luck and went on to win the match."
Ukraine had never won at the Donbass Arena on four previous occasions and failed to seize on its dominance when it mattered most.
With their fans dominating the crowd and on the bench at the start due to a left knee injury, the Ukrainians were in control from the outset, far more confident on the ball and containing England inside its own half.
But early efforts were from distance, with Denys Garmash and Yaroslav Rakitskiy striking over, while England midfielder Scott Parker had to throw his body into the path of Devic's low shot.
They were getting closer, though, and looking more even menacing going forward with Oleh Gusev getting into the penalty area and sending in a shot that just crept over Joe Hart's goal.
Before Rooney scored, England came close to testing Pyatov when Ashley Young sent in a low cross that was easily dealt with in the 11th minute.
As Ukraine attacked the England goal, Rooney was quiet in the first half of his first competitive match in more than a month until he sent a free header wide in the 28th from Young's cross.
"It was a while since he played a competitive match," Hodgson said of Rooney. "Every day helps him and helps us. The fact that he had 80 minutes today will give him confidence for the Italy game."
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