France reign in Ukraine rain June 15, 2012 -- Updated 2002 GMT (0402 HKT) Jeremy Menez put France in front on 53 minutes and hosts Ukraine never recovered. France beat hosts Ukraine 2-0 in rain-hit Euro 2012 clash Jeremy Menez and Yohan Cabaye on target for Les Bleus in second hlaf Play halted for 58 minutes after huge thunderstorm hit Donetsk Players removed from pitch amid safety fears after five minutes (CNN) -- Group D favourites France proved too good for hosts Ukraine in a rain-affected Euro 2012 clash in Donetsk. After a huge thunderstorm caused play to be suspended for almost an hour during the first half, Jeremy Menez and Yohan Cabaye struck after the break to seal victory for Laurent Blanc's side. The game begun amid torrential rain and within five minutes of kick-off, Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers ordered the teams off the field as thunder and treacherous forked lighting engulfed the Donbass Arena. The continuation of the match looked in doubt as large puddles of water began to form on the pitch but 58 minutes later, the teams re-emerged to clearer skies. Ukraine, despite the cacophonous roar that greeted their every thrust forward, found it tough to cope with France's slick passing and movement. Home goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov was forced into a wonderful save with his feet to deny Menez, before batting away a Phillippe Mexes header. Veteran striker Andriy Shevchenko, a two-goal hero in Ukraine's opening match against Sweden, again looked the hosts' most potent threat. He saw one rasping strike palmed away by Hugo Lloris and then sent a thunderous long-range effort whistling inches over the bar shortly after the break. But just as Ukraine were finding their rhythm, France swept up the field and broke the deadlock. After some fine interplay between Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema, Menez cut inside Yevhen Selin and drilled a shot in at the near post. Three minutes later, Cabaye latched on to Benzema's pass and buried an effort past Pyatov from 15 yards. The goals completely deflated the Ukrainians, who escaped going further behind when Cabaye blasted against the post after a mesmerizing spell of French possession. The win stretches Le Bleus' unbeaten run to an imposing 23 games and it also made a bit of history. It is, incredibly, the first time they have won a European Championship match without either Zinedine Zidane or Michel Platini in their side. June 15, 2012 -- Updated 2006 GMT (0406 HKT)