Thanks to star striker Andriy Shevchenko's penalty goal, World Cup debutants Ukraine beat ten-man desperate Tunisia in their last Group H match here on Friday.

Tunisia's Anis Ayari (L) tackles Ukraine's Maxim Kalinichenko during their Group H World Cup 2006 soccer match in Berlin June 23, 2006. FIFA.[Reuters]

Ukraine finished runners-up of the group with six points, jumping into the knockout stage together with group winners Spain who collected three wins.

Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin felt relieved after the win.

"It was a tight game, a question of nerves," Blokhin said.

"We had chances but we didn't take full advantage.

Shevchenko chased a ball wide in the penalty area in the 70th minute and tumbled under the challenge of Tunisian defender Karim Haggui.

The AC Milan strier scored from the spot, his second goal at the World Cup.

Shevchenko said: "It's a hugely important achievement for Ukrainian football that we have got into the next round.

"We always kept our belief despite the terrible defeat against Spain (4-0).

"It doesn't matter who we play in the next round. All three teams - France, Switzerland and South Korea - are strong teams."

In today's crucial duel for both sides, Tunisia must win to keep the chance to advance to the last 16 while Ukraine only need a tie.

Both teams fielded the same side they played in their last fixtures, in which Ukraine crushed Saudi Arabia 4-0 and Tunisia lost to Spain 3-1.

Nine minutes into the game, Tunisian forward Zied Jaziri got a chance in the penalty area but he was showed the yellow card for fake stumble.

Tunisian midfielder Adel Chedli's long shot flew over the crossbar on 14 minutes.

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