Spain Beats Neighbours To Set Up Paraguay Clash

Wednesday, 30th June 2010 at 10:57am

A solitary goal from Barcelona striker David Villa, his fourth of the tournament, was enough to send European Champions Spain through to a quarter final meeting with Paraguay and sent Iberian rivals Portugal home.

The match was billed as a coming together of two polished sides and the opening moments of the game lived up to expectations as Portugal threatened the Spanish goal and La Furia Roja settled into their familiar brand of slick passing and movement.

It was the Portuguese who created the more chances but once Villa had given Vincente Del Bosque's men the lead, they never looked like relinquishing it.

Portugal had Ricardo Costa dismissed for an off-the-ball altercation with Joan Capdevila late on in the game as the Spanish ran out winners.

Spain will face Paraguay in the quarter finals after the South Americans overcame a spirited Japanese side 5-3 on penalties after the game finished goalless after 120 minutes.

Both teams created chances, but clear cut openings were few and far between and as time dwindled, a penalty shoot out seemed the most likely option.

Paraguay won the toss and converted their first three penalties before Yuichi Kamano hit the crossbar with his effort.

Both sides scored their fourth penalties and Benfica striker Oscar Cordoza calmly rolled the ball into the left corner to put Paraguay through to the quarter finals for the first time in its history.

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