Ukraine edge into last eight

Ukraine will face Italy for a place in the semi-finals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup after finally seeing off the challenge of Switzerland 3-0 on penalties following a goalless draw in Cologne.

Shovkovskiy saves
In a match of few clear goalscoring opportunities, Ukraine recovered from their captain Andriy Shevchenko having the first penalty of the shoot-out saved by Switzerland goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbühler to reach the quarter-finals in their first finals appearances. Olexandr Shovkovskiy saved spot-kicks from Marco Streller and Ricardo Cabanas either side of Tranquillo Barnetta's effort that struck the crossbar, leaving Oleh Gusev to send Ukraine into the quarter-finals with his side's fourth penalty.

Woodwork struck
The Swiss threatened first, Raphael Wicky forcing Shovkovskiy to turn his shot around the post. Oleh Blokhin's side then came close to a breakthrough in the 21st minute, Shevchenko meeting Maxym Kalinichenko's left-wing free-kick with a diving header only for the ball to bounce up and against the crossbar. Switzerland replied almost immediately, Alexander Frei curling a free-kick against Shovkovskiy's crossbar with the Ukraine goalkeeper rooted to the spot, although Andriy Husin, Kalinichenko and Oleh Shelayev all had half-chances before the interval.

Ukraine pressure
The pattern continued as the second half got under way, Andriy Voronin heading just wide in the opening seconds before Shevchenko flashed a left-foot shot fractionally wide and Husin narrowly missed the target with a header from a corner. Neither side was able to make the breakthrough, however, sending the game into extra time where Johann Vogel and Philipp Degen both went close for the Swiss. Ultimately it was penalties, and Gusev, that finally separated the sides and took the Ukrainians through to a meeting with the Italians in Hamburg on Friday evening.