Paraguay line-up: Villar (c), Morel, Bonet, Santa Cruz, Vera (Barreto, 88'), Da Silva, Caceres, Riveros, Valdez (Torres, 68'), Barrios (Cardozo, 82'), Alcaraz
Slovakia line-up: Mucha, Pekarik, Skrtel, Strba, Weiss, Kozak, Sestak (Holosko, 70'), Vittek, Durica, Hamsik, Salata (Stoch, 83')
Paraguay have put themselves in a great position to progress into the next round with a fully deserved win. Slovakia offered little and at times no resistance to the Paraguayan onslaught and it was only a matter time before Paraguay were sure to break the deadlock. the front three of Santa Cruz, Barrios and Riveros all had chances but couldn't break the defences down and Mucha provided some very good saves. The breakthrough came on 27 minutes after poor defensive play by Slovakia, they gave the ball away too cheaply too often throughout the match, Sunderland's Da Silva benefited form the latest error and raced down the wing before placing a ball through to Vela who finished it very neatly with the outside of his right boot. This should have made Slovakia come out and play but unfortunately for the neutrals it didn't happen. With only chance on target for Slovakia in the first half they deserved to be behind and could've been 2-0 down but Santa Cruz again failed to score.
Slovakia did play a little better and much more attacking in the second but had no end product. With no sight of an equaliser emerging Paragauy looked to finish the Europeans off and Vela nearly did so but his header went agonisingly wide. The game was finished four minuted from time when an outstanding Riveros who scored a brilliant curling effort form the edge of the box and Paraguay were worthy winners. If Slovakia are to have any chance of qualifying they will need to find some attacking force and quickly.
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