By Erwin Wong/Red Sports
South Africa, Saturday, July 3, 2010 — David Villa’s late goal sent Spain on course to their best ever finish at the World Cup when they beat Paraguay 1-0 in a quarter-final match.
Spain had finished in fourth place at the 1950 World Cup, but their appearance in Wednesday’s semi-final will be their first ever at such a stage.
Villa’s 83rd minute goal settled the tie that looked to be bereft of goals despite the opportunities which presented themselves. Xavi had a dipping effort from outside the box in the 28th minute which just sailed narrowly over the bar, while Nelson Valdez’s 40th minute goal for Paraguay was ruled offside even though replays showed that teammate Oscar Cardozo was the one who had strayed into that position, and not him.
The game exploded to life in the second half. Spain’s Fernando Torres had another horrid game and was replaced by Cesc Fabregas in the 55th minute, and Paraguay were awarded a penalty just a minute later. Gerard Pique tugged at Cardozo’s arm during a Paraguay corner, and was yellow carded for his troubles.
Cardozo himself took the spot-kick, but he smashed it straight to goalkeeper Iker Casillas who dived low to his left and gathered the ball. It went straight down to the Paraguay end of the field and this time it was Spain who were sensationally awarded a penalty when Antolin Alcaraz fouled Villa in the box.
Xabi Alonso scored from the spot, but had to retake the penalty because there was encroachment in the box by a Spanish player. Alonso’s second effort was subsequently saved by Justo Villar, who tripped Fabregas as the latter pounced on the rebound, but there was not to be a third penalty in the space of three manic minutes.
Andres Iniesta’s curler forced Villar into a good save shortly after, but the game appeared to be petering out towards extra time until Villa struck the vital goal seven minutes from the end.
Iniesta went on a superb run towards the Paraguay penalty area before laying the ball off to Pedro on the right. His shot cannoned off the post to a waiting Villa, whose own shot rebounded off both posts before nestling into goal. It was his tournament-leading fifth goal of the World Cup.
That proved to be the game winner, although Casillas spilled a Lucas Barrios shot in the 88th minute and only just managed to get in the way of the rebound from Roque Santa Cruz.
Spain will meet an in-form Germany in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
More News and Reactions for Paraguay vs Spain
Game photos
Video highlights of the game
BBC News: Paraguay boss angry over offside ruling
2010 FIFA World Cup Quarter-Final Fixtures
| SGP DATE/DAY | SGP TIME | COUNTRY A | COUNTRY B | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2, Fri | 10pm | Holland  | 2 | Brazil  | 1 |
| Jul 3, Sat | 2.30am | Uruguay  | 1 (4) | Ghana  | 1 (2) |
| Jul 3, Sat | 10pm | Argentina  | 0 | Germany  | 4 |
| Jul 4, Sun | 2.30am | Paraguay  | 0 | Spain  | 1 |
2010 FIFA World Cup Semi-Final and Final Fixtures
| SGP DATE/DAY | SGP TIME | COUNTRY A | COUNTRY B | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-Finals | |||||
| Jul 7, Wed | 2.30am | Uruguay | 2 | Holland | 3 |
| Jul 8, Thu | 2.30am | Germany | 0 | Spain | 1 |
| 3rd and 4th placing | |||||
| Jul 11, Sun | 2.30am | Uruguay | 2 | Germany | 3 |
| Final | |||||
| Jul 12, Mon | 2.30am | Holland | 0 | Spain | 1(AET) |
For the World Cup fixtures list with Singapore broadcast timings as well as group tables and the list of CCs with free screenings, go to: http://redsports.sg/2010-world-cup-fixtures-groups/
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