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Played
July 3, 2010 7:30 PM BST
Ellis Park, Johannesburgo
Referee: Carlos Batres (CRC)
July 3, 2010 7:30 PM BST
Ellis Park, Johannesburgo
Referee: Carlos Batres (CRC)
World Cup Preview: Paraguay - Spain
By Subhankar Mondal
Creating history
Paraguay were not expected to make it to the World Cup quarter-finals and indeed many observers thought that they would struggle to make it past their group stage. However, the South Americans have proved all their detractors wrong and are now in with a chance of making it to the semis.
This is the first time in their history that La Albirroja will feature in the last eight of the World Cup. Gerardo Martino's side defeated Asian giants Japan 5-3 on the penalties in the second round after the match ended 0-0 after extra-time. It wasn't exactly a glittering performance from Paraguay but it was quite effective nevertheless.
Needless to say, Paraguay will be the underdogs going into the match against Spain on Saturday evening, which also means that they will not be under any pressure to win. Having said that, one would be naive to suggest that Paraguay cannot upset the European chaampions as they held 2006 World Cup winners Italy to a 1-1 draw in the group stage. Their midfield and attack are the departments to watch and having already created history, the former Copa America winners will be seeking to craft more.
Marching on
Spain's defeat to Switzerland in their opening game of the World Cup had many wondering whether the European champions would be able to get past the group stage. However, wins against Honduras and Chile saw them win Group H. Against Portugal in the second round, Vicente del Bosque's side carried on their winning run as they defeated the Euro 2004 finalists 1-0 more comprehensively than the scoreline suggests.
Spain have yet to hit top form in the competition but they have still been winning quite comfortably. Moreover, they have an enviable record as they have earned only one yellow card so far: that was Xabi Alonso against Portugal. La Furia Roja will go onto their quarter-final tie against Paraguay as favourites and are expected to win with relative ease.
However, Spain cannot be complacent as Paraguay, the least fancied of the South American sides in South Africa, have shown that they can compete with the big boys. Spain reached the quarter-finals eight years ago in the World Cup but that time they controversially lost to co-hosts South Korea, while four years ago in Germany they couldn't get past the second round. This time Spain have one of the best squads in the World Cup and they will be looking to step up a gear on Saturday evening.
FORM GUIDE
TEAM NEWS
Paraguay
There are no injury or suspension worries for coach Gerardo Martino. Midfielder Victor Caceres, who missed the match against Japan due to suspension, will be available for selection and is likely to be drafted into the starting line-up.
Probable line-up (4-3-3): Villar, Bonet, Da Silva, Alcarez, Morel; Vera, Caceres, Riveros; Santa Cruz, Benitez, Lucas
Spain
Coach Vicente del Bosque is likely to retain faith in the same line-up that started against Portugal. Striker Fernando Torres has been woefully out of form but the former Real Madrid coach has already said that the Liverpool forward will be on his teamsheet. Centre-back Raul Albiol is still out injured.
Probable line-up (4-3-3): Casillas, Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Capdevilla; Xavi, Busquets, Alonso; Iniesta, Torres, Villa
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Paraguay
Antolin Alcaraz. The Paraguay centre-back was immense at the back against Japan in the last 16 and looked quite comfortable against Keisuke Honda on most occasions. Alcarez also scored against Italy in the group stage and has been a very vital player for the South Americans in the World Cup. The former Fiorentina centre-back will have to marshal the Paraguayan backline well and see that Spain striker David Villa is not give much space or time.
Spain
David Villa. Spain have scored five goals in the World Cup finals so far - Villa has scored four of them and has set up the other. The Barca man scored the winner against Portugal in the second round and was a menace for the Portuguese defenders for the 88 minutes he was on the pitch. The 28-year-old is now just three goals short of becoming Spain's all-time top goalscorer and one can lay a bet on him to be on the scoresheet on Saturday evening too.
PREDICTION
Spain should have the edge as they have more quality in their side. The European champions have yet to hit top gear in South Africa but they didn't have much trouble against Portugal in the last round.
Indeed, the Castrol World Cup match predictor gives Spain a whopping 76 per cent chance of winning the match while Paraguay are given just 24 per cent. However, the first goal in this game is going to be crucial as Spain could be rattled if they concede early. But if Vicente del Bosque's side score the opening goal, then Paraguay could be in for a slaughter.
Paraguay 0-3 Spain
Think you can do better than our expert? Place a bet now on the match with Goal.com’s official betting partner Titanbet.
Who will come out on top? Check out Castrol Football's 2010 World Cup Match Predictor.
Paraguay were not expected to make it to the World Cup quarter-finals and indeed many observers thought that they would struggle to make it past their group stage. However, the South Americans have proved all their detractors wrong and are now in with a chance of making it to the semis.
| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £10.50 | Draw £90.00 | China £260.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £11.00 | Draw £90.00 | China £230.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £10.83 | Draw £100.00 | China £210.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £10.80 | Draw £100.00 | China £260.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £10.70 | Draw £122.00 | China £270.00 |
|
This is the first time in their history that La Albirroja will feature in the last eight of the World Cup. Gerardo Martino's side defeated Asian giants Japan 5-3 on the penalties in the second round after the match ended 0-0 after extra-time. It wasn't exactly a glittering performance from Paraguay but it was quite effective nevertheless.
Needless to say, Paraguay will be the underdogs going into the match against Spain on Saturday evening, which also means that they will not be under any pressure to win. Having said that, one would be naive to suggest that Paraguay cannot upset the European chaampions as they held 2006 World Cup winners Italy to a 1-1 draw in the group stage. Their midfield and attack are the departments to watch and having already created history, the former Copa America winners will be seeking to craft more.
Marching on
Spain's defeat to Switzerland in their opening game of the World Cup had many wondering whether the European champions would be able to get past the group stage. However, wins against Honduras and Chile saw them win Group H. Against Portugal in the second round, Vicente del Bosque's side carried on their winning run as they defeated the Euro 2004 finalists 1-0 more comprehensively than the scoreline suggests.
Spain have yet to hit top form in the competition but they have still been winning quite comfortably. Moreover, they have an enviable record as they have earned only one yellow card so far: that was Xabi Alonso against Portugal. La Furia Roja will go onto their quarter-final tie against Paraguay as favourites and are expected to win with relative ease.
However, Spain cannot be complacent as Paraguay, the least fancied of the South American sides in South Africa, have shown that they can compete with the big boys. Spain reached the quarter-finals eight years ago in the World Cup but that time they controversially lost to co-hosts South Korea, while four years ago in Germany they couldn't get past the second round. This time Spain have one of the best squads in the World Cup and they will be looking to step up a gear on Saturday evening.
FORM GUIDE
 Paraguay |
 Spain |
| Paraguay 0-0 Japan (5-3 penalties) | Spain 1-0 Portugal |
| Paraguay 0-0 New Zealand | Chile 1-2 Spain |
| Slovakia 0-2 Paraguay | Spain 2-0 Honduras |
| Italy 1-1 Paraguay | Spain 0-1 Switzerland |
| Greece 0-2 Paraguay | Spain 0-1 Switzerland |
TEAM NEWS
Paraguay
There are no injury or suspension worries for coach Gerardo Martino. Midfielder Victor Caceres, who missed the match against Japan due to suspension, will be available for selection and is likely to be drafted into the starting line-up.Probable line-up (4-3-3): Villar, Bonet, Da Silva, Alcarez, Morel; Vera, Caceres, Riveros; Santa Cruz, Benitez, Lucas
Spain
Coach Vicente del Bosque is likely to retain faith in the same line-up that started against Portugal. Striker Fernando Torres has been woefully out of form but the former Real Madrid coach has already said that the Liverpool forward will be on his teamsheet. Centre-back Raul Albiol is still out injured.Probable line-up (4-3-3): Casillas, Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Capdevilla; Xavi, Busquets, Alonso; Iniesta, Torres, Villa
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Paraguay
Antolin Alcaraz. The Paraguay centre-back was immense at the back against Japan in the last 16 and looked quite comfortable against Keisuke Honda on most occasions. Alcarez also scored against Italy in the group stage and has been a very vital player for the South Americans in the World Cup. The former Fiorentina centre-back will have to marshal the Paraguayan backline well and see that Spain striker David Villa is not give much space or time.Spain
David Villa. Spain have scored five goals in the World Cup finals so far - Villa has scored four of them and has set up the other. The Barca man scored the winner against Portugal in the second round and was a menace for the Portuguese defenders for the 88 minutes he was on the pitch. The 28-year-old is now just three goals short of becoming Spain's all-time top goalscorer and one can lay a bet on him to be on the scoresheet on Saturday evening too.PREDICTION
Spain should have the edge as they have more quality in their side. The European champions have yet to hit top gear in South Africa but they didn't have much trouble against Portugal in the last round.
Indeed, the Castrol World Cup match predictor gives Spain a whopping 76 per cent chance of winning the match while Paraguay are given just 24 per cent. However, the first goal in this game is going to be crucial as Spain could be rattled if they concede early. But if Vicente del Bosque's side score the opening goal, then Paraguay could be in for a slaughter.
Paraguay 0-3 Spain
Think you can do better than our expert? Place a bet now on the match with Goal.com’s official betting partner Titanbet.
Who will come out on top? Check out Castrol Football's 2010 World Cup Match Predictor.
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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
-
Paraguay 0-2 Spain
- 23.08 %
-
Paraguay 0-3 Spain
- 13.07 %
-
Paraguay 1-3 Spain
- 12.05 %
| World Cup 2010 (WC) | 3 Jul 2010 | Paraguay 0 - Spain 1 |
|
Paraguay
   |
||
| 26 Apr 2012 | Guatemala 0 - Paraguay 1 | FR |
| 29 Feb 2012 | Paraguay 1 - Panama 0 | FR |
| 22 Feb 2012 | Paraguay 2 - Guatemala 1 | FR |
| 15 Nov 2011 | Chile 2 - Paraguay 0 | WCQS |
| 12 Nov 2011 | Paraguay 2 - Ecuador 1 | WCQS |
Spain
  |
||
| 30 May 2012 | Spain 4 - South Korea 1 | FR |
| 26 May 2012 | Spain 2 - Serbia 0 | FR |
| 29 Feb 2012 | Spain 5 - Venezuela 0 | FR |
| 15 Nov 2011 | Costa Rica 2 - Spain 2 | FR |
| 12 Nov 2011 | England 1 - Spain 0 | FR |
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
| - | J. Villar | Goalkeeper |
| - | Darío Anastacio Verón | |
| - | Antolín Alcaraz | |
| - | Darabantex | |
| - | Claudio Morel Rodríguez | |
| - | C. Riveros | Midfielder |
| - | V. Cáceres | Midfielder |
| - | Edgar Osvaldo Barreto | |
| - | Haedo Valdéz | Striker |
| - | J. Santana | Midfielder |
| - | Oscar Cardozo | |
| - | Aldo Antonio Bobadilla | |
| - | Néstor Ezequiel Ortigoza | |
| - | Rodolfo Vicente Gamarra | |
| - | Diego Daniel Barreto | Goalkeeper |
| - | C. Bonet | Defender |
| - | Aureliano Torres | |
| - | Julio César Cáceres | |
| - | Denis Ramón Caniza | |
| - | Enrique Daniel Vera | |
| 10 | Edgar Benítez | Striker |
| - | L. Barrios | Striker |
| - | Roque Santa Cruz |
| 1 | Iker Casillas | Goalkeeper |
| 15 | Sergio Ramos | Defender |
| 3 | Gerard Piqué | Defender |
| - | Carles Puyol | |
| - | Capdevila | |
| 6 | Andrés Iniesta Luján | Midfielder |
| 16 | Sergio Busquets Burgos | Midfielder |
| 14 | Xabi Alonso | Midfielder |
| 8 | Xavi | Midfielder |
| - | David Villa | |
| 9 | Fernando Torres | Striker |
| 1 | Víctor Valdés | Goalkeeper |
| 23 | José Reina Paez | Goalkeeper |
| 17 | Arbeloa | Defender |
| 2 | Raúl Albiol Tortajada | Defender |
| 13 | Juan Mata | Striker |
| 4 | Javi Martínez | Midfielder |
| 22 | Jesús Navas González | Midfielder |
| 19 | Fernando Llorente Torres | Striker |
| 10 | Cesc Fàbregas | Midfielder |
| 7 | Pedro | Striker |
| - | Carlos Marchena | |
| 21 | David Silva | Midfielder |
| V. Cáceres | |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Squad Number: | 0 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| David Villa | |
| Position: | |
| Squad Number: | 0 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
1 
15 
3 
0 
0 
6 
16 
14 
8 
0 
9 
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Diego Forlan Corazo
Striker Uruguay |
5 | 1 |
|
David Villa
Striker Spain |
5 | 0 |
|
Wesley Sneijder
Midfielder Netherlands |
5 | 0 |
|
Thomas Müller
Striker Germany |
5 | 0 |
|
Robert Vittek
Striker Slovakia |
4 | 1 |
