PES predicts: Day 20

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[PS2] The semi-finals kick off at last, but who will make it through?

Thursday 29 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 20

Match one: Germany vs Argentina

A pacy German attack from the kick-off puts Argentina on the back foot, with Podolski racing past the opposition defence but firing wide of goal. Germany's fluent passing keeps Argentina pinned back and before half-time Klose puts the host nation ahead, collecting a smart pass from Ballack in front of goal and unleashing a spinning shot into the bottom left corner.

Argentina are unable to keep possession long enough to build a threatening move, although Crespo bothers the German backline, forcing an error, but he's unable to put his lob over the oncoming keeper. But Klose puts the result beyond doubt with his second strike of the match, pouncing on the rebound of a saved shot from Schneider and poking the ball home.

PES predicts: Germany 2, Argentina 0

Match two: Italy vs Ukraine

With Nesta and Materazzi out, Italy look to back-up defender Barzagli to help Cannavaro plug the gaps. But within 10 minutes a mis-timed header from Barzagli has to be desperately cleared off the line by Zambrotta, and before half-time the back-up defender is cleverly beaten by a jinking Shevchenko, allowing the Ukraine striker to get clear on goal and score the opener.

Italy have their own chances and their passing is sharp, but there's no finishing touch and Gilardino puts a total of four headed attempts wide from an unmarked position. Finally, Ukraine win a corner in the dying moments and the Italian clearance is poor. It falls to a sprinting Gusin, who clouts a storming header from 30 yards that powers past Buffon, caught well off his line, and into the net.

PES predicts: Italy 0, Ukraine 2


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,Day 18,Day 19

Ben_Richardson

Ben Richardson is a former Staff Writer for Official PlayStation 2 magazine and a former Content Editor of GamesRadar+. In the years since Ben left GR, he has worked as a columnist, communications officer, charity coach, and podcast host – but we still look back to his news stories from time to time, they are a window into a different era of video games.