CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Spain just keeps getting better and better. The opening-game loss to Switzerland seems like ancient history, and now Portugal is history, as La Furia Roja defeated their Iberian neighbors, 1-0, to reach the quarterfinals. In that match, they will be heavy favorites against a Paraguayan side that can be expected to employ many of the same defensive tactics that Portugal used.
Spain
Xavi, midfield: AWith Portugal resolute in defense, it was always going to take something special for Spain to break the Portuguese down. Xavi delivered just that, as his cheeky backheel put David Villa in the clear to slot home the game winner after his initial shot had been saved. Xavi also helped boss the midfield, allowing Spain to cut off the supply line to Cristiano Ronaldo.
David Villa, forward: A
Villa was a near-constant menace down the left wing all night. He nearly put La Furia Roja up early with a near-post effort, and he perfectly timed his run to collect Xavi's backheel -- then netted the winner from his own rebound. Spain has had some nervy moments in this tournament, but Villa's goals have pulled the Spaniards through.
Fernando Torres, forward: D
If there is one worry for Spain after its victory, it's the continued poor form of Torres. As in many of his previous performances, Torres struggled with his touch and was comfortably contained by the opposing defense. Even worse for Torres, the Spanish attack seemed to perk up once he left the field in exchange for Fernando Llorente. The question now facing manager Vicente Del Bosque is whether he should reduce Torres to a substitute's role.
Portugal
Eduardo, goalkeeper: AOn another night, the Portuguese keeper would have been man of the match, such were the saves he made throughout the game. His reflex save denied Llorente in the second half, and he brilliantly parried away a Villa strike with 15 minutes to go to keep Portugal within touching distance. Eduardo was in tears afterward, but he has no reason to hang his head.
Cristiano Ronaldo, midfield: C
The Real Madrid attacker was active in the first half, and he nearly scored from a free kick that appeared to handcuff Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas. But Ronaldo was almost completely starved of service in the second half, as Spain's clockwork possession game carried the day. Clearly, it wasn't all Ronaldo's fault, but one would have expected him to find some way to impose his will on the game.
The entire Portuguese midfield: D
Granted, Carlos Queiroz's game plan was always to soak up pressure and try to nail Spain on the break. But the Portuguese midfielders could have done much more to keep the ball and give their exhausted defenders a chance to rest. This inability to keep possession took its toll late in the game. After falling behind, Portugal tried to press higher up the field but didn't have the legs to really threaten Spain.
Paraguay win through on penalties
Paraguay 0-0 Japan
(Paraguay win 5-3 on penalties)
After a cagey encounter failed to yield goals, Paraguay triumphed on spot kicks to become the fourth South American team through to the quarter-finals.
After a cagey encounter failed to yield goals, Paraguay triumphed on spot kicks to become the fourth South American team through to the quarter-finals.
Published: Tuesday 29 June 2010, 15.32CET
Paraguay win through on penalties
Paraguay 0-0 Japan (Paraguay win 5-3 on
penalties)
After a cagey encounter failed to yield goals, Paraguay triumphed on spot kicks to become the fourth South American team through to the quarter-finals.
After a cagey encounter failed to yield goals, Paraguay triumphed on spot kicks to become the fourth South American team through to the quarter-finals.
Paraguay are through to the quarter-finals of the
FIFA World Cup after triumphing on penalties at the end of a cagey
goalless draw.
Tension reigned in Pretoria as the two hopefuls played out a nervy encounter only rarely punctuated by openings. The better chances nonetheless fell to Paraguay and they demonstrated the steelier nerves in the shoot-out to reach the last eight for the first time. Substitute Óscar Cardozo buried the winning spot kick after Yüichi Komano had fired against the bar as La Albirroja became the fourth South American team through to the next round.
Many expected an open affair between two sides confident of their prospects, but opportunities proved scarce and it took until the 20th minute for the first clear look at goal. Lucas Barrios it was who wriggled free but, having worked himself into space inside the area, the Paraguay striker poked the ball at goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.
Roused by that escape, Japan answered back almost immediately at the other end through Daisuke Matsui, the Grenoble Foot 38 midfielder crashing a superb effort from distance against the crossbar. As good as that chance was, though, Roque Santa Cruz enjoyed the most promising of the half when a corner fell to him in front of goal. Instead of giving Paraguay the lead, he could only drag his shot wide.
Neither side fared any better at establishing dominance after the restart and, if anything, the game became even tighter, with headed chances for Cristian Riveros and Tulio Tanaka the only moments of excitement as the match veered towards extra time. Substitute Nelson Valdez then almost snatched victory for Paraguay with 97 minutes gone, but although his point-blank attempt was saved by Kawashima, he and his colleagues would soon be celebrating. They will now face Spain in the last eight on 3 July.
Tension reigned in Pretoria as the two hopefuls played out a nervy encounter only rarely punctuated by openings. The better chances nonetheless fell to Paraguay and they demonstrated the steelier nerves in the shoot-out to reach the last eight for the first time. Substitute Óscar Cardozo buried the winning spot kick after Yüichi Komano had fired against the bar as La Albirroja became the fourth South American team through to the next round.
Many expected an open affair between two sides confident of their prospects, but opportunities proved scarce and it took until the 20th minute for the first clear look at goal. Lucas Barrios it was who wriggled free but, having worked himself into space inside the area, the Paraguay striker poked the ball at goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.
Roused by that escape, Japan answered back almost immediately at the other end through Daisuke Matsui, the Grenoble Foot 38 midfielder crashing a superb effort from distance against the crossbar. As good as that chance was, though, Roque Santa Cruz enjoyed the most promising of the half when a corner fell to him in front of goal. Instead of giving Paraguay the lead, he could only drag his shot wide.
Neither side fared any better at establishing dominance after the restart and, if anything, the game became even tighter, with headed chances for Cristian Riveros and Tulio Tanaka the only moments of excitement as the match veered towards extra time. Substitute Nelson Valdez then almost snatched victory for Paraguay with 97 minutes gone, but although his point-blank attempt was saved by Kawashima, he and his colleagues would soon be celebrating. They will now face Spain in the last eight on 3 July.