Only one goal counted, and it belonged to Wayne Rooney.

The England striker returned from a two-match suspension to head in the lone goal Tuesday and give his team a 1-0 win over Ukraine and a spot in the European Championship quarterfinals. The co-host Ukrainians, however, will leave the tournament knowing that things could have been different.

Needing a win to advance, the Ukrainians thought they had tied it the 62nd minute when Marko Devic’s deflected shot appeared to loop over the line before it was hooked clear by England defender John Terry. But the goal was not awarded by the referee or his extra assistant, who was half-standing on the field only a few meters from the post.

“The goal that wasn’t given really changed our plan because if it was given, I think the whole game could have looked another way,’’ Ukraine captain Andriy Shevchenko said through an interpreter. “We tried to give Ukraine a gift but we weren’t able to do it.’’

Although a draw still would have eliminated them, the equalizer would have given the team hope knowing that another goal would put Ukraine through to the quarterfinals.

“I was sad because the ball was in the goal by one meter,’’ Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin said.

The controversy will likely add to the pressure on UEFA President Michel Platini to reverse his opposition to goal-line technology.

It was Rooney, however, who did manage to put his team on the scoreboard.

England captain Steven Gerrard whipped a cross into the penalty area that glanced off two defenders before Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov let it slip through his hands as he crouched to collect the ball. Rooney was at the far post and made it count.

“I was always putting myself in goalscoring opportunities,’’ Rooney said. “I could’ve done better with a couple more but I got the goal and it’s three points.’’