Mon 26th Jun 2006

Ukraine defeated Switzerland 3-0 on penalties in the World Cup second round after a drab game in Cologne ended goalless after extra time.

Ukraine now face Italy in the quarter-finals in Hamburg on Friday after Oleg Gusev struck the winning spot-kick in the first shootout of the tournament.

In aninstantly forgetable match-up neither side could make the breakthrough in 120 minutes of uninspiring football and a shootout looked on the cards all night - and Ukraine ultimately prevailed after misses from Marco Streller, Tranquillo Barnetta and Ricardo Cabanas.

Hakan Yakin shot wide early on for Switzerland after neat build-up play.

Raphael Wicky then stung the palms of Ukraine keeper Olexandr Shovkovskiy as Switzerland took the upper hand.

But it was Ukraine who almost broke the deadlock on 20 minutes when Andriy Shevchenko's diving header from Maxim Kalinichenko's free-kick bounced up and off the crossbar.

But just minutes later Ukraine were rescued by the crossbar after Alexander Frei's thumping 25-yard free-kick cannoned back off the woodwork.

There were no changes after the break, and Andriy Voronin caught the Swiss defence napping some 50 seconds into the half as his close-range header flew just inches past the left post.

Ukraine had stepped up a gear, but could still not breakthrough a well-drilled Swiss rearguard.

Shevchenko then evaded several challenges on the edge of the box before unleashing a venomous strike which whistled just wide.

And on 74 minutes a wicked corner from the left found Andriy Gusin racing in but his header flew just wide of the far post.

But the game ended goalless and 30 minutes of extra time ensued.

Cabanas almost got on the end of a ball into the box and Joahnn Vogel saw a shot saved as Switzerland pushed forward.

Substitute Streller was denied five minutes from the end of extra time by a superb tackle from Gusin inside the box, but neither time could win it until Ukraine triumphed in the shootout.