South American Futbol - Libertadores, Sudamericana, World Cup 2010

Paraguay celebrate shoot-out victory -Photo: Terra

Paraguay advanced to the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time in their history on Tuesday after beating Japan 5-3 on penalties after both teams were deadlocked at 0-0 after extra-time. The all-decisive spot-kick was converted by Paraguay striker Oscar Cardozo. Japan’s Yuichi Komano missed the only penalty of the shoot-out, firing his effort onto the crossbar.

Although both teams confronted the match with caution, Paraguay dominated possession in the first period, and came close to scoring when a Lucas Barrios shot was saved by Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima in the 20th minute.

But Japan came much closer to opening the scoring two minutes later, when a long-distance Daisuke Matsui drive struck the woodwork. Then five minutes before half-time Keisuke Honda curled a fine effort just wide.

Gerardo Martino’s side continued to play the better football after the break, but they failed to create good goal-scoring opportunities.

Perhaps their best chance came in the 56th minute when a point-blank shot from Edgar Benitez was well saved by Nakazawa. Midfielder Christian Riveros also could have put the Paraguayans ahead three minutes later with a header.

Both teams created few goal-scoring opportunities in extra-time, and after 120 minutes of deadlocked football the game was decided by a penalty shoot-out.

Paraguay, who have only conceded one goal in the tournament, went on to win the penalty shoot-out 5-3, with Benfica goal-machine Cardozo — who replaced Roque Santa Cruz in extra-time — scoring the goal that sent them into the quarter-finals.

Next up for Paraguay is a quarter-finals meeting with European champions Spain, who defeated Portugal 1-0. Paraguay were the fourth South American team to qualify for the last eight of the competition, after Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil.