Ukraine are clear favourites to go to FIFA World Cup 2014 after beating France 2-0 in the first leg of their playoff, with Laurent Koscielny having a nightmare.
France have it all to do in the second leg in Paris on Tuesday after defeat in Kiev meant they face missing out on the World Cup for the first time in two decades.
Roman Zozulia gave Ukraine a deserved lead in the 61st minute at the 70,000-capacity Olympic Stadium in Kiev and Andriy Yarmolenko made it 2-0 from the penalty spot with eight minutes left after Laurent Koscielny had brought down Zozulia inside the area.
Arsenal defender Koscielny was then sent off following a clash with Oleksandr Kucher, before the Ukrainian defender was also dismissed as tensions between the two teams spilled over.
Ukraine were worthy of their win and, having denied France an away goal, can now consider themselves strong favourites to go through to their second World Cup finals.
Watch Ukraine v France highlights.
COMMENTS