DONETSK, June 19 – Following a disputed referee’s call, England edged out Ukraine to secure a spot in the European Championship quarterfinals.

The England striker Wayne Rooney returned from a two-match suspension to head in the lone goal Tuesday and give his team a 1-0 win over Ukraine. 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 tied it the 62nd minute when Marko Devic's deflected shot appeared to loop over 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.

"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, The Associated Press reported. "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 one meter," Ukraine coach Oleh Blokhin said.

The controversy will likely add to the pressure on UEFA President Michel Platini to reverse his opposition to goal-line technology.

UEFA is scheduled to vote on the introduction of goal-line technology next month, after Euro 2012, and could be testing the approved systems in major leagues before the year is out.

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 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.

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." (ap/ez)