Euro 2012 Results: Players Who Must Dominate to Lead Their Teams out of Group D

It's not quite the Group of Death, but Group D at Euro 2012 features some of the most intriguing and competitive teams in the tournament.

Between the favorites in France, the wild cards in England and Sweden, and the co-host Ukraine, this group will produce some thrilling matches in the coming weeks. 

Of course, they aren't out there purely for entertainment purposes. These teams will be fighting for bragging rights and national pride, and since all four have a realistic shot of advancing to the knockout stage, these could be some of the most hotly contested matches of the entire tournament.

Every squad will need a true team effort to escape, but there are several players capable of swaying the outcomes with their individual skill. If any of the following players dominate, they can lead their teams into the next round.

Ashley Young - Attacking Midfielder, England

With Wayne Rooney suspended and Jermain Defoe home mourning the death of his father, England will need a brilliant effort from Young.

The 26-year-old winger was solid for Manchester United this season, scoring six goals and dishing seven assists in 19 English Premier League games. He also has six career goals in 21 appearances for the senior national team, including the lone goal in their recent friendly win against Norway.

Young is excellent on the counterattack and he's always dangerous from set pieces, so don't be surprised if he wins at least one game for England.

Karim Benzema - Striker, France

France has a platoon of quality attackers, and Benzema is the best of the all.

The Real Madrid star was dominant this season, finishing fifth in La Liga with 21 goals in 26 appearances. He also added seven assists.

In 45 games with his senior national team, Benzema has been just as dangerous, notching 15 goals and six assists.

With his perfectly timed cuts, precision passing and nose for the net, Benzema will be a major nuisance to the rest of Group B. Expect him to be active and aggressive throughout, while opposing teams scramble to deal with him.

Andriy Shevchenko - Striker, Ukraine

The Ukrainian legend is giving it one last go at Euro 2012, and if he busts out a vintage Shevchenko performance, he can lead the host country into the knockout round.

Shevchenko is a grizzled veteran of the international game, earning 105 caps for Ukraine. The prolific forward has also been very productive in those appearances, scoring 46 career goals for the senior national team.

Although he's 35 years old, Shevchenko is still a menace with the ball at his feet. If he can foil Sweden's defense today, he will give Ukraine a much needed boost.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Striker, Sweden

Like Ukraine, the Swedes have a world-class striker in Ibrahimovic.

The big AC Milan forward is a one-man wrecking crew up front, as he led Serie A with 28 goals in 32 appearances this season. He has also scored 31 career goals for his national team, and seeing as how he is in top form right now, I'm expecting him to add at least a couple to that tally in the coming weeks. 

With his size, touch and passing ability, Ibrahimovic is a nightmare for opposing defenses. Look for him to single-handedly win at least one game for Sweden at Euro 2012.