Goal.com Top of the Match sponsored by Turkish Airlines: Paulo Da Silva (Paraguay)

Goal.com's worldwide team of editors laud the Paraguayan defender...

By Paul Macdonald

Paraguay players celebrate their progress to the quarter-finals with penalty shoot-out win over Japan (Getty Images)
Goal.com Editors' Top of the Match sponsored by Turkish Airlines: Paulo Da Silva (Paraguay)

The 2010 World Cup today witnessed its first penalty shoot, with South American cracks Paraguay seeing off Japan in a tense, closely-fought encounter.

Neither side could find a breakthrough during 120 minutes of action, and la Albirroja stopper Paulo da Silva was one of the reasons why. His towering performance in the heart of defence kept the Japanese at bay, ensuring that Paraguay have continued their impressive record of only conceding one goal in tournament so far.

The experienced 30-year-old, who plies his trade with English Premier League side Sunderland, has been a key performer as Paraguay progress to their first-ever World Cup quarter-final, and Goal.com’s editors have duly appointed him Turkish Airlines Top of the Match.


Goal.com Readers' Top of the Match sponsored by Turkish Airlines: To Be Confirmed


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