Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in Group C between Ukraine and Northern Ireland.

If you've just been watching England's dramatic 2-1 victory over Wales, you have under an hour to get your breath back before Northern Ireland attempt to get their campaign back on track against Ukraine in Lyon. Both teams suffered defeats on Sunday to leave them at a distinct disadvantage for the remainder of the group stages but that may lead to an attacking game this evening.

RESULT! If you didn't happen to catch the England versus Wales clash, where on earth have you been?! Don't worry, though, here is our match report on the Home Nations showdown in Lens.

Anyway, without further ado, let's get to the team news. There's a big surprise in the Northern Ireland lineup.

NORTHERN IRELAND XI: McGovern; Hughes, Cathcart, McAuley, J.Evans; C.Evans, Davis, Norwood; Ward, Washington, Dallas

Surprised? So are we. Michael O'Neill has opted to leave out his nation's talisman Kyle Lafferty but it's definitely a more attack-minded lineup with Jamie Ward, Conor Washington and Stuart Dallas operating in a front three. Manchester Unied's Paddy McNair, who played in midfield against Poland, is another of five players to drop out of the side.

We are still awaiting news of the Ukraine team. We will bring you that as soon as we get it.

HEAD TO HEAD! There have only been four previous meetings between the two sides and it does not make for good reading for Northern Ireland supporters. They are yet to win a match - drawing twice and losing twice - and they have only scored one goal. Th last two games ended in a goalless draw but I would not read too much into that - the most recent clash came in September 2003.

UKRAINE XI: Pyatov, Fedetskiy, Rakitskiy, Shevchuk, Khacheridi, Stepanenko, Sydorchuk, Yarmolenko, Kovalenko, Konoplyanka, Seleznyov

Ukraine boss Mykhaylo Fomenko has made just the one alteration to the side that lost out to Germany and it comes in attack with Yevhen Seleznyov replacing Roman Zozulya.

Before we continue to preview this game, let me point you in the direction of our Euro 2016 section. There should be enough there to keep you occupied for the next half an hour or so, and more is on its way as reaction comes in from England's win over Wales.

The biggest problem for Northern Ireland in their defeat to Poland was their inability to make a dent in a sturdy backline when the majority of the team were focused on defence. Even when they fell behind, Michael O'Neill was seemingly reliant on a bit of magic from Lafferty or a header from a set piece, and he was ultimately left disappointed. Today's lineup is the direct opposite to last Sunday but while there's no guarantee that it will pay off, it's a shake-up that was required. The game passed the Northern Ireland by on Sunday but the introduction of the likes of Jamie Ward and Conor Washington should at least allow the side to play with a bit of speed and tempo.

The same can probably be said for Ukraine, too. In all fairness, they had their opportunities during the first half but they were extremely poor after the restart. As usual, Andriy Yarmolenko and Yevhen Konoplynaka carried most, if not all, of the threat and it will probably be a similar story this afternoon. The pair have scored 38 goals for their country but they should be supported by frontman Seleznyov, who has 11 goals from 51 appearances.

After this game, we will have Germany playing Poland and if their qualification fixtures are anything to go by, we should be in for a cracker. The world champions only finished one point above tonight's opponents and with Robert Lewandowski coming up against a weakened German defence, who knows what may happen. The winner of that game will almost certainly top the group ahead of the knockout stages.

STAT! Northern Ireland need goals today but not many of their players have scored on the international stage. There is a combined total of 25 for the starting XI but Steven Davis has scored a third of those from 84 caps. There's an opportunity for someone to make themselves a hero but there's not a lot of big-game experience in the final third.

PREDICTION! Both sides would probably prefer to enforce a tight strategy but they cannot afford to rest on their laurels and something has got to give. We think Northern Ireland will carry an increased threat but you cannot ignore that talent and ability of Ukraine's front four and we think they will run out 3-1 victors.

The two teams have made their way out onto the pitch in Lyon. We will be underway very shortly!

The traditional countdown drops down to zero and Ukraine get us started!

It's a very positive start from Northern Ireland who win a corner on the left. Ward plays it short for Norwood but the midfielder's ball into the penalty area is dealt with relatively comfortably.

SHOT! There are a lot of empty seats at Lyon's 59,000-seater stadium but Northern Ireland are being backed by a strong contingent from their homeland and they have, so far, lifted their side to a brilliant start. Dallas just tried his luck from around 25 yards but Pyatov gets down well to his left.

It's Ukraine's turn to get forward and drill a cross across the box but Northern Ireland survive after the ball evades everyone and go out for a goal kick.

Norwood dwells on the ball around 40 yards from goal and he is dispossessed by Sydorchuk but fortunately for the midfielder, his shot is blocked by the Northern Ireland defence and they clear. Been a decent start in Lyon.

I think Ukraine have settled into this contest now and are slowly but surely starting to dominate. A few passes have gone astray in the middle of the park but they are regaining possession in an efficient manner. Such was Northern Ireland's frustration was Washington's need to shoot from all of 30 yards, an effort which was always going wide.

More sustained possession from Ukraine ends with drilling the ball towards goal from 35 yards but it was always fizzing over the crossbar. Konoplyanka is starting to weave his magic now.

Northern Ireland get the respite they need and finally enjoy some time on the ball. They don't make too much headway and only earn a throw-in on the left but it was desperately needed. They were using a lot of energy to try to deal with Ukraine's midfield and attack, who look on the right page today.

SHOT! Soon afterwards, Yarmolenko almost found Seleznyov with an inswinging delivery from the right and he is only an inch or two from making contact. Moments later, Rakitskyi struck the ball across the wet surface from 30 yards but it was straight into the hands of McGovern.

The Northern Ireland use the 24th minute to pay tribute to supporter Darren Rodgers, who passed away earlier this week after falling from a balcony in Nice.

Ward looks second best when faced with Rakitskyi on the right flank but he manages to get his low cross in the penalty area and it finds Washington. However, a slight nudge into the back results into the ball ricocheting off his shin and going behind for a goal kick.

Not much to report over the past few minutes but that will probably suit Northern Ireland for now. They are coping well and have improved slightly from the weekend but there's not enough action taking place in the final third.

CHANCE! What was I saying? Norwood floats a corner towards the penalty spot and Cathcart is there to rise above the defender and get his head on it. Unfortunately for the Watford man, the ball got a yard wide of the top corner.

SHOT! That's ambitious from Ward. A driving run ends with a 40-yard strike that goes wide but it gets slight nick of a defender. From the resulting corner, a weak header from McAuley finds the gloves of Pyatov.

Northern Ireland are growing in confidence in Lyon and after the ball finds Ward at the back post, his low cutback has to be dealt with by Khacheridi.

SAVE! Like on Sunday, Northern Ireland play a clever free kick to meet the run of Davis inside the penalty area and on this occasion, he connects sweetly with the ball. However, Pyatov pulls off a stunning one-handed save to stop the Southampton midfielder's effort from an acute angle finding the top corner.

The half-time whistle goes in Lyon and we remain goalless. Ukraine had the better of the opening 20 minutes but Northern Ireland came on strong before the break and will fancy their chances of finding the back of the net after the restart. This is very finely poised.

Northern Ireland get us back underway. No changes for either side, which was to be expected at this stage. The rain is lashing it down in Lyon.

Both teams have started this second half brightly. Northern Ireland threatened within the first minute but Ukraine were soon back up the other end with Seleznyov sending a header wide at the near post after meeting a corner. The playing conditions are terrible.

Northern Ireland have lift off! A terrific ball from Norwood finds McAuley at the back post and the West Bromwich Albion defender heads the ball into the far corner. The Green Army go crazy!

CHANCE! What a chance for Ukraine, who should be level. A superb free kick is whipped into the penalty area for Seleznyov and his glancing header has pace on it. However, it's straight at McGovern who claims the ball at the second opportunity. We've got some game on our hands here.

Both teams look shaky at the back and there are definitely more goals in this one. Northern Ireland create more havoc inside the penalty area but the ball doesn't fall for them and Ukraine clear.

CHANCES! Ukraine are well and truly on the rack. Northern Ireland are throwing themselves into tackles all over the pitch and after a Norwood effort is well held by Pyatov, a cross from Davis finds the head of Washington, who glances it well wide of the post.

MATCH SUSPENDED! We have hail stones half the size of golf balls so the referee is taking the two teams off. Fair enough decision.

Hail stops play in Lyon #UKRNIR #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/X1FP4ufGjX

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 16, 2016

The players are back and we have restarted with Northern Ireland kicking the ball to Pyatov.

The stadium is rocking to the beat of the Northern Ireland fans chanting and cheering on their team. Ukraine seem to have benefited from the brief stoppage, however.

There may come a time when Northern Ireland start to tire after setting a ferocious pace in this second half. It is something they have to be wary about but at the same time, they may feel that they can put the game beyond Ukraine with a second goal. Washington is starting to stretch the defence.

SUBSTITUTION! O'Neill makes his first alteration of the match, throwing on Niall McGinn for Ward, who has worked extremely hard during his 68 minutes on the pitch.

CHANCE! While Northern Ireland look threatening on the break, Ukraine are starting to gain more control on proceedings and they almost equalise through Kovalenko but after collecting a knock-down on the edge of the penalty area, he sent a half-volley a couple of yards off target.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Ukraine have made a double change with Roman Zozulya and Denys Harmash being introduced. Inbetween the alterations, Kovalenko dragged a 20-yard effort wide of the target, much to the relief of McGovern.

You get the impression that Northern Ireland are beginning to try to see out the 1-0 scoreline. It's a dangerous game but they have given a lot in the final third and are paying the price for it now. If Lafferty is fit, he can't be too far away from an introduction.

SUBSTITUTION! Kovalenko has made way with Oleksandr Zinchenko. That's the final change for Ukraine. As for Northern Ireland, Josh Magennis is on for Washington. Judging by that, Lafferty must be carrying an injury.

CHANCE! Zinchenko is straight into the thick of it and with his first touch, gets an effort on target after meeting a cross from the left. Fortunately for McGovern, there was no pace on the ball and he held the effort.

SHOT! More attacking play from Ukraine ends with the ball finding Shevchuk at the back post but it falls to him on his unfavoured right foot and his effort is dragged wide.

SHOT! Yarmolenko receives the ball on the right before cutting inside onto his left foot and creating a shooting position for himself but McGovern is equal to the low effort from 20 to 25 yards out. There will be six minutes of added-on time.

SUBSTITUTION! Paddy McNair was due on around five minutes ago but he finally makes an appearance in place of Corry Evans. Three minutes to go.

BOOKING! Jonny Evans wins a free kick before kicking the ball away to waste a few more seconds. I'm sure he won't care at this stage. Two minutes to go.

UNBELIEVABLE! Northern Ireland have defeated Ukraine 2-0 to keep alive their hopes of a place in the last 16. Niall McGinn sealed the win in added-on time after tapping home from close range to spark ecstasy in the Northern Ireland section.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this game but take a look at our match report here, although it doesn't quite do what Northern Ireland have just achieved much justice! Goodbye for now.