Paraguay vs Spain Live QF Match
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Date: Saturday, 3 July 2010
Kick-off: 19:30 BST
Watch Paraguay vs Spain Live
African WC 2010 Quarter Final Live
Coverage: Television coverage on BBC1, video live on BBC Sport website for UK users, BBC Radio 5 live, live text commentary on this website
MATCH PREVIEW
In 1811, Paraguay achieved independence from their Spanish rulers. 199 years on and the plucky Paraguayans will again have to overthrow Spain, who are very much a footballing world superpower. Gerardo Martino's South American side are entering new territory by reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup, but have their work cut out against a Spanish team that are ominously moving through the gears. However, they haven't earned a reputation as the World Cup's biggest chokers for nothing - 1950 is the only time they have made the semi-finals.
Much was made of Paraguay's striking options before the World Cup, but not one of their forwards have managed to find the net so far. They were deprived of their main goal threat, Salvador Cabanas, after he was shot in the head in January. His agent revealed he has been watching the action from his hospital bed near Buenos Aries and his regular contact with the squad has been a source of inspiration to their players in South Africa.
It's not just Paraguay's frontmen that have struggled for goals. Spain's Fernando Torres has seemingly been affected by the curse that has afflicted Premier League strikers at this World Cup. A host of big-name forwards who ply their trade in England, have failed to fire in South Africa and Torres has looked completely out of sorts. Fortunately, Spain can fall back on the form of David Villa, who has proven to be a one-man scoring machine and looks a great bet to win the Golden Boot.
But while Villa has been grabbing the headlines, plaudits have started to pour in for a backline that has conceded just 11 goals in 19 competitive matches under Vicente del Bosque. Their solidity, added to a disciplinary record that has seen only Xabi Alonso booked so far, has helped Spain recover from the shock defeat by Switzerland in their opening game.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Carlos Batres (Guatemala)
Assistants: Leonel Leal (Costa Rica) and Carlos Pastrana (Honduras)
Fourth official: Benito Archundia (Mexico)
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