Spain inflict pain on Paraguay

Paraguay were uninterested in exiting the tournament without a fight. Striker Lucas Barrios came off the bench to inject a sense of urgnecy into the Paraguayan attack, and with two minutes left, the Dortmund striker fired a blast that Casillas could only bobble. Substitute Roque Santa Cruz was first to the ball, but Casillas heroically […]

Paraguay were uninterested in exiting the tournament without a fight. Striker Lucas Barrios came off the bench to inject a sense of urgnecy into the Paraguayan attack, and with two minutes left, the Dortmund striker fired a blast that Casillas could only bobble. Substitute Roque Santa Cruz was first to the ball, but Casillas heroically blocked his effort.

At the other end, Villa had a chance to put the game to rest, but Villar made a terrific save to preserve a chance for Paraguay, but it was all in vain. Spain maintained possession exceptionally throughout injury time, and advanced to the semi-finals for the first time in their history.

The ball fell to Villa in the area after Pedro Rodriguez hit the post. The Spain striker took one touch before curling a shot in off the far post.

Villa’s tournament-leading fifth goal set up a semi-final match against Germany in Durban on Wednesday.

Paraguay’s defence mostly kept Spain’s vaunted attack at bay, and both teams’ best chance to win in normal time came from the penalty spot. Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas saved a 59th-minute penalty kick by Oscar Cardozo before Paraguay captain Justo Villar matched him from a retaken effort by Xabi Alonso two minutes later.