Andriy Shevchenko admitted Ukraine failed to sparkle despite making it into the last 16 of the World Cup.

The striker, signed by Chelsea from AC Milan for £30million, scored from the spot against Tunisia to set up a knockout-round match against Switzerland.

But Ukraine were far from convincing and Shevchenko believes his team-mates suffered from the weight of expectation.

He said: "I'm happy that we won, but it wasn't a brilliant match.

"The reason for this, I think, was the psychological pressure we were under.

"We knew it was important first of all not to lose and that's why the team didn't play very attacking football."

The 1-0 victory saw Ukraine, playing in the World Cup for the first time, finish second in Group H behind Spain.

There were doubts about the validity of the penalty decision, and whether Tunisia should have had a spot-kick of their own.

Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre said there was "huge bitterness" among the players.

He said: "I will never thrown the first stone towards referees. They are on the field to do their job and there is no changing their decisions, but I must admit the bitterness among the players is huge.

"When you have fought like that you have the impression your team has been beaten unjustly."

Lemerre insisted his players should be proud of their overall World Cup campaign but said the match turned on the sending off of striker Zied Jaziri for two cautions at the end of the first half.

He said: "I would like to say to all Tunisians that we do share their sadness but life goes on and we have to think now about qualifying for the next African Cup of Nations and the next World Cup.

"We prepared very well technically and tactically for this game but after the sending off it was much tougher.

"We had a plan if it was still 0-0 with 20 minutes to go but of course that did not happen.

"Overall we really must be proud of our performances but if I have one regret it was that we should have beaten Saudi Arabia instead of only drawing against them."