The first several days of World Cup 2014 matches are in the books, with plenty more excitement ahead. Using FIFA 14's new World Cup mode, I've been simulating each match to see how EA's engine fares in determining the results.
Did FIFA 14 Predict The Netherlands Upset Over Spain?
Between Brazil's controversial opener, Netherlands' unexpected demolition of Spain, Uruguay's collapse, Italy's superiority over England, and Switzerland's very late winner, the competition has so far offered plenty of entertainment and plenty of goals.
Americans are finally getting in on the action as the U.S. side is set to kick off its first game against Ghana later today. The African team has knocked the U.S. out in consecutive tournaments, making this something of a rivalry match for Klinsmann's side. Unfortunately, FIFA 14 seems pretty sure the Ghanaians will walk away victorious, with the USMNT failing to get on the score sheet.
EA Sports Simulation Predicts Germany Will Win World Cup
In my simulation, the first goal came from Muntari, who struck home off a Kevin Prince Boateng rebound 26 minutes in. The U.S. team failed to produce much going forward, with much of the game bogged down in midfield. Gyan then scored in the 62nd minute, icing the game and coming away with the clean sheet. Hopefully for U.S. fans FIFA 14 gets this one wrong, though a subsequent retry of the simulation produced the same result.
As for the simulations of the previous matches, FIFA 14 predicted a Cameroon win over Mexico, as did I, but the African side simply did not look up for it. They lost 1-0, though Mexico deserved two more goals that were wrongly called offside.
Spain vs. Netherlands was undoubtedly the shock of the tournament so far with the reigning champions being dismantled 5-1 after taking an early lead, but my simulation predicted the correct winner. FIFA 14 also said Brazil would walk away with a victory over Croatia (dubious penalty aside), and simulated a comfortable Chile win.
The game didn't do too well in two of the more recent matches, getting its prediction for the Colombia and Greece match wrong, and thinking England would defeat Italy. The U.S. plays tonight at 6 p.m. EST--tune in to find out if FIFA 14 gets this one right and to see the team in action.