Paraguay beat Japan in penalty shoot-out
Paraguay beat Japan and reached the quarter-finals of a World Cup for the first time, after 120 minutes of football and a penalty shoot-out. The South American squad will now meet Spain, who won the other round of 16 match.
Cardozo celebrates goal as Paraguay beat Japan
The Paraguayans have a lot to improve if they want to beat the Spanish team. The Japanese who were the last Asian team to leave South Africa, did so with their heads held high, leaving only teams from Europe, South America and Ghana.
The first half was worthy of a game between two teams ranked 31 and 45 by FIFA. The game was badly played, especially on the technical side, with too many failed passes. For the first time in history, one of these teams would reach the quarter-finals, but it was difficult to believe how it was possible.
The first half had only two goal scoring chances for each side. After 20 minutes of yawning, Lucas Barrios ran into the area, broke free of two Japanese defenders, but his shot hit Kawashima, the goalkeeper. A minute later Japan hit the crossbar after a great shot from Matsui.
There was hope that the game would open up, but shots from Roque Santa Cruz and Honda missed the target. Fans from both sides had no reason to jump for joy on their chairs.
Both coaches decided not to change anything for the second half believing that they had made the best choices. They got it wrong, despite the fact that Japan played a little better in the second 45 minutes.
The game went into overtime with both teams getting closer to scoring a goal, especially in the first 15 minutes. The second 15 minutes showed two teams fearful of going into the penalty shoot-outs.
Both teams scored their first two penalties, then Koman of Japan missed by hitting the crossbar. Paraguay scored all penalties, with the last one being taken calmly by Cardozo to make it 5-3 for Paraguay, who will meet Spain in the quarter finals.
Spain too strong for Portugal win 1-0
Spain are through to the quarter finals after beating Portugal 1-0 in today’s round of 16 game in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Portugal’s defeat could have been worse if it hadn’t been for the excellent game of goalkeeper Alfredo, who made a handful of fantastic saves.
Cristiano Ronaldo and David Villa in Spain-Portugal game
Portugal made a decent first half, even though the Spanish team had a lot more ball possession and was the best team. Right from the first minute they intimidated the Portuguese squad with two great shots firstly by Fernando Torres and then by David Villa that Portugal keeper Eduardo responded with great saves.
In fact Eduardo was the best Portuguese player in the field, while Cristiano Ronaldo was a disaster during most of the game relying only on long distance kicks and clearly playing without any passion in his game.
Spain was playing some impressive football with that slick passing game they are so good at and it slowly became evident that Portugal’s record of not conceding a goal in South Africa was beginning to look shaky as Xavi frightened them again with a shot over the bar from a corner kick.
Portugal weathered the early storm when Tiago finally fired a distant shot that Iker Casillas cleared the ball in the air and then had to scramble it to safety as Hugo Almeida challenged him. Soon after Cristiano Ronaldo shot a powerful 30 meter free kick that bounced off Casillas’ chest, but the Spanish defence quickly cleared it.
The Portuguese started off better in the second half and almost broke the deadlock when Carlos Puyol got his knee in the way of a Hugo Almeida cross but the ball looped over Casillas’ head and passed a few millimeters from the post.
Vicente del Bosque, the Spanish coach substituted Liverpool’s Torres, with Fernando Llorente after 58 minutes and he almost made a spectacular entrance, heading straight at Eduardo who’s quick reflexes took the better of a swerving Jabulani ball.
Llorente brought some spark into the Spanish squad and soon after the inevitable Villa had a powerful shot wiz past the post. The new Barcelona striker showed why he is one of the best in the world when he scored in the 63rd minute of an absorbing encounter when he chipped in a rebound over goalkeeper Eduardo after his first shot was saved.
Carlos Queiroz made a bad move when he substituted Hugo Almeida for Liedson because from that moment on they handed most of the control to the Spaniards who could have made it 2-0 when Sergio Ramos almost scored, but once again the brilliant Eduardo managed another great save.
Portugal’s Ricardo Costa was sent off towards the end of the game in what appeared to be an exaggerated decision by the referee, who otherwise had a good game without any major errors.
Spain will now play Paraguay in their next quarter-final game on July 3rd.
