Blaszczykowski's heroics help Poland top Ukraine, book last-16 spot

In light of Robert Lewandowski's Euro struggles, Poland needed a hero to step up Tuesday against Ukraine, and Jakub Blaszczykowski did exactly that, scoring the goal that sends the White Eagles to the knockout stage for the first time in history.

The halftime substitute from Borussia Dortmund collected the ball a few yards from goal, afforded himself space courtesy of a deft touch, and fired a left-footed rocket beyond the reach of Andriy Pyatov.

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Poland finishes Group C on seven points, narrowly behind rival Germany on goal differential, and will now face Switzerland in the last-16.

The match in Marseille started in dazzling form, with both sides displaying attacking impetus. Despite having nothing to play for but pride, Ukraine appeared the better side before the interval.

Both sides were presented with a pair of stellar opportunities to open the scoring in the first half, but it was both sides' star players who let them down.

Bayern Munich star Lewandowski continued his underwhelming spell with an effort that sailed high above the bar in the third minute before attack mate Arkadiusz Milik missed a chance in front of goal.

Lewandowski still has yet to register a shot on goal through the first three fixtures of Euro 2016.

That ineptitude was matched by Ukraine's big two.

Andriy Yarmolenko had Ukraine's best chance in the 17th minute, firing wide of Lukasz Fabianski's goal after being taken down in the box minutes before. A dozen minutes later Yevhen Konoplyanka steered an effort just wide and the two sides headed to the interval sans goals.

Ukraine leaves France without a point or a goal to show for its efforts, while Poland will mark its first knockout stage spot with a clash against the upstart Swiss on June 25 in Saint-Etienne.