Monday 26 June 2006
Throughout the 2006 World Cup we'll be predicting each day's results - using Pro Evolution Soccer! We'll select the teams and let the game play out the action on its own, before posting a quick match report and the final, PES-predicted score.
2006 World Cup: Day 18
Match one: Italy vs Australia
Italy are missing Nesta in defence but still look strong at the back in the opening stages, with Australia pinned back inside their own half. Sloppy passing by the Aussies lets Zambrotta steal plenty of space down the right wing to threaten for Italy, and some heavy tackling gives Totti a free-kick that's only just tipped over the bar by a hard working Schwarzer.
Sterjovski has a chance to put Australia ahead after the break but he pokes the shot into the keeper and can't direct the rebound towards goal. Italy keep up the pressure, though, and both Gilardino and Totti force great saves from the Aussie keeper. Finally, Pirlo bursts through the opposition defence, riding a reckless challenge, and scores from a tight angle to give Italy the win.
PES predicts: Italy 1, Australia 0
Above: Italy go through to the last eight after an impressive individual goal from Pirlo
Match two: Switzerland vs Ukraine
There's little flow or vigour to this match in the first half, with both teams looking sluggish on the ball and lacking accuracy for passes. Shevchenko comes closest in the first 45 minutes, a loose ball dropping kindly to his feet and his looped shot arching over the Swiss goalkeeper but falling wide of the target by a fair few yards.
Switzerland manage to push Ukraine back, holding possession and moving forwards well, but their only real chance is powered into the side netting by Frei from 10 yards out. When Djourou messes up at the other end Shevchenko pounces, playing in Voronin who's shot is palmed away. But the striker is first to the rebound, smashing it into the goal and putting Ukraine into the quarter-finals.
PES predicts: Switzerland 0, Ukraine 1
Previous matches
Day one,Day two,Day three,Day four,Day five,Day six,Day seven,Day eight,Day nine,Day 10,Day 11,Day 12,Day 13,Day 14,Day 15,Day 16,Day 17
