World Cup debutants Ukraine played their last international friendly match before the World Cup Finals, and saw three substitutes score in their 3-0 victory over Luxembourg at the Stade Jose Barthel on Thursday.

Ukraine captain and Chelsea new-boy Andriy Shevchenko gave his side a huge World Cup boost as he came on to score in Ukraine’s win.

Shevchenko came on as a second-half substitute after 60 minutes - his first game for a month after he picked up a knee injury whilst playing for his former club AC Milan.

The 29-year-old former European Player of the Year appeared to show no signs of the injury which kept him sidelined for the teams preparations for the World Cup Finals and which forced him to miss the friendlies against Costa Rica, Italy and Libya.

Andriy Voronin, also a substitute, had broken the deadlock in the 55th minute after an uninspired first half.

The Bayer Leverkusen striker scored with an excellent right-foot shot past Luxembourg keeper Jonathan Joubert to the delight of the Ukraine fans who were beginning to get restless.

Shevchenko tapped in the easiest of chances from a deflected pass in the 82nd minute before yet another substitute, Spartak Moscow midfielder Maxim Kalinichenko added a third goal in the 84th minute as Luxembourg started to tire.

Ukraine open their Group H campaign on June 14 against Spain in Leipzig, with matches against Tunisia and Saudi Arabia in the group stage.

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