Spain fight to defeat tough Paraguay

And so we get a pair of extremely interesting semi-finals after today's results, one side we have an overachieving Uruguay with as much history as anyone else in this tournament playing against what could be described as an underachieving Netherlands who only stepped up against Brazil. And the other semi-final will be super-charged Germany against Spain, who had some difficulty against an inspired Paraguay. Spain have made it to the semi-finals, and it's been 60 years since they last made it back in Brazil 1950.

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Villa earning Spain's penalty with a little bit of acting

Paraguay - Spain


Paraguay came out and played a high pressure style, they stopped Spain from playing that hypnotizing passing possession game. Spain weren't as crisp and fluid as usual, they didn't get a shot on target during the first 45 minutes as Paraguay created chances of their own which they sent wide, high, or right at Casillas.

With the second half came more tension, the action picked up and Paraguay got a penalty on the 60th minute mark thanks to Gerard Pique's tugging in the area. Iker Casillas saved the penalty and helped stop what could'be been the biggest upset of the tournament. Minutes later David Villa went down/dived in Paraguay's area to earn themselves a penalty of their own, Xabi Alonso had to take it twice because of encroachment in the area, and the second time Villar matched Casillas and saved. Tension continued to rise as the 90 minutes were coming close...

Then, what has to be considered the man of the tournament scored again, David Villa broke the deadlock with his 5th goal in the tournament. Iniesta layed the ball off to Pedro from the top of the area, Pedro smacked his effort onto the post, and Villa followed up scoring as the ball pinged off both posts and went in. Casillas had to prove himself near the end though as he saved well to send Spain off against Germany.

Paraguay edge past Japan in penalty shootout

Komano hitting the bar

For the first time, Paraguay have made it to the quarter finals of the World Cup, a historic occasion for the South American team. In fact, all of the South American teams have really shined this World Cup, and even though some won't be in the quarter-finals, the tournament is still being dominated by them.

Paraguay - Japan

A tight and cagey match, if there was one game in the round of 16 that was going to go to penalties, I would've picked this one because of the equality in skill of the two teams. The first half had few chances, Matsui hit the bar from 25 yards out, and Santa Cruz had a good chance go wide from in front of net, but there was nothing too memorable.

Cardozo celebrating his final penalty kick

The second half was something to forget, no memorable chances as both teams didn't want to risk conceding and so they went into 30 minutes of extra time. In extra time Paraguay came closest to the goal but there was some brave goal-keeping which pushed the game to penalty kicks.

There was only one miss in the shootout and it was Yuichi Komano who had his shot go too high and hit the bar. Nobody else missed and Cardozo scored the last penalty for Paraguay to let them go through to the quarter-finals and meet either Spain or Portugal.

Italy eliminated as Paraguay and Slovakia go through

The World Cup champions were eliminated, a strong showing from Slovakia and bad play from the Italians ended up with them finishing bottom of the group. In the other match, New Zealand were able to hold Paraguay to a draw, giving them the third spot of the group after three draws.

Here's how group F stands:

Paraguay            (5)
Slovakia             (4)
New Zealand     (3)
Italy                   (2)

Quagliarella crying with Cannavaro
consoling him

Slovakia - Italy

Robert Vittek gave Slovakia an early lead after some a bad pass by Daniele De Rossi, the Slovakian finished cooly in front of Marchetti. Vittek's second goal came in the second half after a good cross from Marek Hamsik which Vittek just tucked away. Moments after the goal Quagliarella came very close to a goal but Martin Skrtel managed to clear the Napoli striker's volley on the goal line.

The Azzurri managed to pick themselves up when Antonio Di Natale pulled one back for them from a rebound off of Quagliarella's shot after the Napoli striker was 1 on 1. At 2-1, they knew they only needed a second goal since Paraguay and New Zealand were locked at 0-0. Italy thought they made it when Quagliarella shoved the ball in the clear goal but his goal was disallowed for offside. Moments later they received a decisive punch: Kamil Kopunek lifted the ball over goalkeeper Marchetti into the gaping goal to make it 3-1. Quagliarella did manage to reduce the deficit for Italy with a beautiful chip from outside the box, but it wasn't enough for Italy. 

Paraguay - New Zealand

Clear-cut chances were few and far between throughout the game, and Paraguay captain Denis Caniza's long-range efforts in the opening half-hour were as close as anyone could seem to get early on in the match. New Zealand, who could have advanced with a victory, never got a good look at target and didn't manage a shot on goal against Justo Villar in the entire game.

Paraguay's best chance came in the 62nd minute when Cristian Riveros had a header from close-range turned away by New Zealand goalkeeper Mark Paston, who did well in the second half to keep Paraguay off the score sheet. He also had to be alert in the 76th minute as substitute Edgar Benítez had a shot saved, and Paston did well to touch away the rebound before Lucas Barrios could get on the end of it. It ended 0-0 with Paraguay going through to the next stages.

Paraguay dominate Slovakia and Italy draw 1-1 with New Zealand

We have seen the world champions be stumped not once, but twice. First against Paraguay, and now against New Zealand, Italy are just unable to find a win. But Paraguay go on to take the lead in the group after defeating Slovakia 2-0.

Here's how Group F stands after these two results:

Paraguay            (4)
Italy                    (2)
New Zealand     (2)
Slovakia             (1)

Italy - New Zealand


A match which the reigning World Cup champions really would've wanted to win, but instead, they put themselves in a bad position just 7 minutes in conceding from a free kick. A flick from a New Zealand head and Cannavaro's poor defending let Smeltz lightly tap it past Federico Marchetti, Italy's second goal-keeper.

After the goal, Italy began to wake up as they dominated possession, keeping the ball but creating few chances. Montolivo hit the inside of the post around the half hour mark with a long range bouncing effort, and just a minute later Italy get themselves a penalty.

It was Smith, tugging on De Rossi's shirt as the Italian was about to finish a cross which led to the penalty against New Zealand, a relatively harsh decision, but fair in retrospect as the Guatemalan referee was fair and uptight about the rules. Iaquinta stepped up to take the penalty and with the inside of his foot drove it into the net to give Italy an important equalizer.

While Italy continued to dominate possession throughout the first and second half, they created few concrete chances, most of them attributed to long range strikes. Montolivo again tested the truly magnificent Paston in New Zealand's goal along with Camoranesi whose shot would've been the perfect top corner goal if it hadn't been saved.

The kiwis scared Italy late in the second half with substitute Wood who was able to get around Cannavaro and lash his shot just wide of the post, which could've been an epic winner for New Zealand.  But in the end, New Zealand held onto the draw as Italy were unable to find the winner, which leaves the world champions in a precarious position in their upcoming game against Slovakia.

Slovakia - Paraguay


A 2-0 win for Paraguay which takes them almost to the round of 16, instead a Slovakia side which will be very disappointed with their performance as they were only able to register one shot on goal. Paraguay found the goal in the 27th minute with Lucas Barrios providing a through ball for Enrique Vera to finish with a curling shot with the outside right boot.

Paraguay went on to truly dominate but they found the second goal only four minutes from the end of the 90 minutes, bad defending from Slovakia allowed Riveros to strike true with his left foot. A straight and direct shot which gave Paraguay a definitive win. Slovakia were able to get their first shot on target in stoppage time, Vittek rifled a great shot which Villar dealt with well as he kept the clean sheet for Paraguay's win.

Italy and Paraguay battle out 1-1 draw

Probably one of the most exciting matches of this World Cup so far, both teams went for it, looking for goals as they both attacked providing an unseen spectacle so far.

Italy - Paraguay


The match started with a bit of apprehension from both sides, but they eventually started to create chances, Paraguay had one of the best in the first half, working their way with Torres right outside the 18 with the ball on his foot and Buffon out of position, but his shot was disappointing. Then in the 39th minute, Paraguay strike first from a free kick, the ball swung in and Alcaraz jumps the highest to head Paraguay into the lead before the second half.

While Italy weren't as dominant as we've seen them, they grew with time, retaining the ball and getting close to goal often with an inspired Pepe. Buffon was taken off for an unknown reason and replaced by Marchetti in goal, as Camoranesi and Di Natale came on later in the half. But Paraguay scared Italy before their goal with Vera almost hitting the post from close range, but in the 63rd, Italy's De Rossi scores from a corner after Paraguay's keeper Villar completely misses it, leaving the goal wide open for the equalizer.

Italy then went on to dominate the possession and chances, Montolivo grew more into his playmaker role with long strikes on target and great passes which often led to crosses for Di Natale or Iaquinta. While Italy could have a penalty claim, Paraguay played very well. Now it's very possible that New Zealand or Slovakia sneak into first place in front of the defending World Cup champions.