Argentina and Paraguay knocked out of World Cup

Argentina crashed out of the 2010 World Cup at the hands of Germany while Spain squeezed past Paraguay on Saturday knocking out all South American teams except for Uruguay coming into the semi-finals.

Germany’s 4-0 thrashing of Diego Maradona’s men was just as surprising as the Netherlands shock defeat of Brazil on Friday. South America had dominated the early stages of the World Cup, with European powers England, Italy and France all sent home early. Europe took revenge in the quarter-finals knocking out three of four South American sides left in the tournament — South America’s 5th contender Chile was knocked out in the round of 16 by Brazil.

Germany’s avalanche of goals started as early as in the third minute with Thomas Mueller taking advantage of a free-kick by Astian Schweinsteiger, surprising the Albiceleste defense with a well-placed header. The Germans scored three times in the second half after swift counter attacks down the flanks. Miroslav Klose added two goals to his personal tally and Arne Friedrich ended the rout with a simple tap-in after another defensive blunder from the Argentine defense.

In Johannesburg, Paraguay put up a long hard fight right until Spain converted in the 83rd minute. New Barcelona signing David Villa scored the decisive goal after reacting to an effort by Pedro that hit an upright, slotting in the rebound to give Spain a 1-0 win.

Earlier both sides missed penalties in the space of five minutes. Benfica striker Oscar Cardozo had his weak penalty saved by Iker Casillas and minutes later Xabi Alonso’s effort — which found the back of the net — was disallowed for encroachment. Paraguayan goalkeeper Justo Villar saved his second attempt.

In the semi-finals Spain will face Germany in Durban on Wednesday, while Uruguay take on the Netherlands in Cape Town on Tuesday.

Abreu sends Uruguay into the semis -Photo: FIFA

Two-time world champions Uruguay set up a semi-final showdown with the Netherlands after beating Ghana 4-2 on penalty kicks in one of the most dramatic clashes of recent World Cup history. The Charruas resolved the match during a penalty shootout, after Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan blasted a penalty against the crossbar in what was the final kick of extra-time.

Sulley Muntari put Ghana ahead just seconds before half-time with a 35-meter left-foot drive that beat Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. But Diego Forlan equalized for Uruguay with a curling 20-metre free-kick ten minutes after the interval.

The match was played at a frantic pace, with both teams creating clear goal-scoring opportunities. The intensity lasted the duration of the 120 minutes, but neither team could finish each other off.

Uruguay and Ghana — two of the most exciting teams of the tournament — battled in the midfield, and gave away no chances, setting up a thrilling climax as the game went into extra-time.

In the final minute of extra-time Luis Suarez was given a direct red card for punching out a goal-bound effort from Dominic Adiyiah from the goal-line, after he had initially blocked a Stephen Appiah shot from entering the goal.

Ghana were awarded a penalty kick , but Gyan — scorer of spot kicks against Serbia and Australia — fired his effort onto the crossbar to the devastation of the Ghana camp and the majority of the 84,000 fans at Soccer City stadium.

Uruguay went on to win the penalty shoot-out 4-2, with Sebastian Abreu booking his team’s ticket into the semi-finals, by beating Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson with a cheeky chip into the centre of the goal. Muslera saved two penalties for Uruguay, while Maximiliano Pereira was the only Uruguayan to miss.

After a forty-year wait, Uruguay will once again have an opportunity to decide the champions of the World Cup, provided that they beat the Netherlands in Cape Town on Tuesday. Uruguay — winners of the 1930 and 1950 World Cups — will start the game as the underdogs, but are more than capable of upsetting the Dutch.

On Friday, Brazil were eliminated from the competition after a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Netherlands. Brazil went into the half-time break one goal up courtesy of a strike from Robinho, but an own goal from Felipe Melo — who was sent off for stamping on an opponent in the second half — and a strike from Wesley Sneijder turned the game into the direction of the Dutch.

Despite Brazil’s best intentions to force extra-time, the resilient Dutch held on, and could have won the match by a greater difference with Brazil leaving huge gaps in defense as they desperately pushed all of their men to the attack.

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.

Brazil celebrate thumping Chile -Photo: Terra

Brazil remain on course for a record sixth World Cup after thrashing Chile 3-0 to book themselves a quarter-finals meeting with the Netherlands. Juan, Luis Fabiano and Robinho handed Brazil a comprehensive victory by scoring outstanding goals.

Defender Juan gave Brazil the lead in the 34th minute with a firm header from a Maicon corner-kick, while Luis Fabiano added their second goal of the night four minutes later when he met a one-touch pass from Kaka, before rounding Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo and slotting the ball into an empty net.

Robinho completed the rout in the 59th minute when he fired the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the area after being fed by midfielder Ramires. It was Robinho’s seventh goal in Brazil’s last six matches against Chile.

The 54,000 fans in Johannesburg expected Brazil to continue the onslaught, but even if they did create several more goal-scoring opportunties they couldn’t find a fourth goal.

Marcelo Bielsa — one of the most popular coaches in South America — pushed his team forward in an attempt to pull a goal back, but although they came close to scoring they couldn’t find a way past Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

Brazil also knocked out Chile in the round of 16 stage of the 1998 World Cup in France, that time winning the match 4-1. Ronaldo and Cesar Sampaio both scored twice each in the match.

Dunga’s side proved that they are one of the strongest teams of the competition, and along with arch-rivals Argentina, Germany and Spain are serious contenders to win the World Cup.

Next up for Brazil is a quarter-finals meeting with the Netherlands, who earlier on Monday beat Slovakia 2-1. Brazil haven’t been beaten by the Dutch in 36 years.

Argentina were stronger than Mexico -Photo: Terra

Carlos Tevez scored twice and Gonzalo Higuain added another to give Argentina a 3-1 win over Mexico and passage into the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup. Los Albicelestes proved superior to the Mexicans and practically sealed their win early in the second half, to set-up a fascinating meeting with Germany, who thrashed England 4-1.

Mexico had a lot to prove, after being eliminated by Argentina at this exact instance four years ago, and they came closest to opening the scoring when Carlos Salcido hit the crossbar with a powerful shot in the eighth minute.

But it was Argentina who went ahead in the 26th minute, when Tevez headed in a Lionel Messi pass when coming from an offside position. Italian referee Roberto Rosetti awarded the goal after consultation with his linesman.

Higuain doubled Argentina’s lead seven minutes later, when he rounded Mexico goalkeeper Omar Perez before slotting home. It was Higuain’s fourth goal of the tournament, making him the highest scorer.

Tevez added Argentina’s third goal in the 52nd minute, when he beat two defenders before firing the ball into the angle of the goal from 25-metres out. The strike was without doubt one of the best of the tournament.

Javier Hernandez — who will play for Manchester United next season — pulled a goal back for Mexico in the 71st minute, an action that motivated Javier Aguirre’s side, who went looking for another goal.

The more than 84,000 fans who attended the match at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg witnessed a match that for Argentina appeared more difficult on paper.

Diego Maradona’s side are only three wins away from winning their first World Cup since 1986, an achievement that would confirm Maradona of legendary status for eternity.

Suarez sent Uruguay to the quarters -Photo: Terra

Uruguay reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time in forty years after beating South Korea 2-1 in perhaps the most dramatic match of the tournament thus far. The Uruguayans won the match courtesy of two outstanding strikes from Luis Suarez.

Playing under torrential rainfall, Suarez put Uruguay ahead in the 8th minute when he met a superb Diego Forlan cross from the left flank with a tremendous finish from a tight angle.

Oscar Tabarez’s side continued to play the better football, and they looked extremely dangerous each time they moved to the attack.

But as the half progressed Uruguay sat back in defense and allowed the South Koreans to take the game to them.

After the break the Asians dominated their opponents, and it seemed that at any moment they would level the score.

Finally after much pressure South Korea equalised in the 68th minute when Uruguay couldn’t deal with a dangerous cross allowing Lee Chung-yong to beat Fernando Muslera with a smart header.

But once again the match turned on its head, as Uruguay lifted their game and went looking for the winner, which arrived ten minutes from full-time when Suarez sidestepped two defenders, before curling a right-footed shot in off the post from the edge of the area.

The match continued at a frantic pace, and in the 87th minute Dong-Gook Lee was presented with an incredible opportunity to tie the game for South Korea, but his effort was cleared off the goal line by a Uruguay defender.

Uruguay — two-time world champions — had not reached this instance of the World Cup since 1970. They will face a quarter-final against the United States or Ghana, who also play on Saturday.

Lucio kept out Cristiano Ronaldo -Photo: Terra

Brazil clinched top spot of Group G of the World Cup after fighing out a goalless draw with Portugal, who also advanced to the knock-out phase. The Selecao, who were without key players Kaka, Robinho and Elano, played the better football throughout the match, but lacked conviction in their understrength attack.

Brazil, who had already secured themselves of a place in the round of 16 stage, won the group with seven points, two more than Portugal with five. The five-time world champions will meet fellow South Americans Chile in the next round, while Portugal will take on European champions Spain.

The match commenced with lots of intensity, as both sides looked for an early goal. Brazil’s best chance came in the 30th minute, when Nilmar, who was replacing Robinho, had a close-range shot knocked off the post by Portugal goalkeeper Eduardo.

Nine minutes later Luis Fabiano — scorer of two goals against Ivory Coast — flashed a close-range header just wide after meeting a good cross from Maicon.

Brazil dominated their opponents during a highly physical match, while the Portuguese relied on the presence of winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who looked extremely dangerous each time his team mounted a counterattack.

Portugal’s best chance came in the 60th minute when Julio Cesar barely tipped wide a shot from Raul Meireles after a trademark run by Ronaldo.

Towards the end of the match both teams took their foot off the pedal, as they seemed happy to settle for a goalless draw. Of the two sides, Brazil finished the stronger, but couldn’t create as many goal-scoring opportunities as they would have liked.

Meanwhile, Chile became the first South American team to suffer a defeat, this coming at the hands of Spain who won 2-1. Having conceded first half goals from David Villa and Andres Iniesta, Chile pulled a goal back early in the second half courtesy of a brilliant strike from Rodrigo Millar.

Chile finished in second place of Group H, on the same points as Spain but with an inferior goal differential. They assured that all five South American teams progressed to the round of 16 stage of the World Cup.

Gregory Sica

Southamericanfutbol.com

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Paraguay advance to the round of 16 -Photo: Getty

Paraguay became the third South American team to qualify first in their World Cup group after fighting out a goalless draw with New Zealand in one of the most uneventful matches of the tournament. The Paraguayans will meet Japan in the round of 16 stage.

Guarani Coach Gerardo Martino made three changes to the side that beat Slovakia 2-0, with defenders Denis Caniza, Julio Cesar Caceres and striker Oscar Cardozo being provided with a place in the starting XI.

From the kick-off neither team looked interested in pushing forward, with the only action in the first half coming from Paraguay captain Caniza, who sped forward with two interesting runs that ended in powerful long-distance snaps at goal.

The second half also left a lot to be desired as both teams seemed content to keep the game deadlocked. It took 62 minutes to win a corner and Paraguay was unlucky not to take the lead with Cristian Riveros having a header parried away by ‘All White’ goalkeeper Mark Paston — the ball was cleared out of danger after a goal-mouth scramble.

Neither team threatened in the way of scoring chances — the Kiwis had exactly zero shots on target, even if they displayed more urgency in stoppage time, but to no avail. New Zealand needed only one goal to advance to the knock-out phase of the competition.

Paraguay topped their group with 5 points, setting a new record as they had never progressed to the round of 16 stage as the group winners. Defending champions Italy bowed out of the competition after suffering a humiliating defeat to Slovakia, who also advanced with four points.

Brian de Olivera

Southamericanfutbol.com

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Martin Palermo finished off Greece -Photo: Terra

Martin Demichelis and Martin Palermo scored in the final twelve minutes to give Argentina a 2-0 win over Greece at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday. The win secured Los Albicelestes of top spot of Group B, setting up a showdown with Mexico, the same team they beat in the round of 16 stage of the 2006 World Cup.

Argentina, who were captained by Lionel Messi for the game, dominated their opponents with exciting attacking football, but although they pressured the Greeks throughout the half they were kept at bay by goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas, who made a number of brilliant saves.

After the break Diego Maradona’s side continued to create the better goal-scoring opportunities, but they couldn’t find a way to penetrate the physical Greece defense. Argentina didn’t field their strongest starting XI, but their team was still too hot to handle for the uninspiring Greeks.

Greece, who rarely created a decent opportunity, looked to break on swift counterattacks, and they came close to scoring through Giorgos Samaras.

But Argentina’s pressure finally paid off in the 79th minute, when Bayern Munich defender Demichelis fired the ball home from point-blank range after Greece couldn’t clear a corner-kick.

Veteran striker Palermo, who had come on as a substitute, added Argentina’s second goal, when he placed the ball past Tzorvas with his right boot after an earlier effort from Messi was blocked by the goalkeeper.

Minutes before the goal Messi had struck the woodwork with a fierce drive as he looked to score his first goal of the tournament.

With the win Argentina — winners of Group B — set-up a second-round showdown with Mexico. South Korea also progressed from the group, after a 2-2 draw with Nigeria.

Gregory Sica

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Luis Suarez scored Uruguay's winner -Photo: Terra

Uruguay finished top of Group A of the 2010 World Cup after edging Mexico 1-0 at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Tuesday. The Uruguayans won the match courtesy of a Luis Suarez strike right before half-time. Despite the defeat the Mexicans also progressed to the round of 16 stage of the tournament.

Ajax Amsterdam striker Suarez converted the only goal of the match in the 43rd minute, when he connected to a superb right-wing cross from Edinson Cavani with a powerful header. It was Suarez’s first goal of the tournament.

The match was a battle in the midfield, as both sides knew that just a point would take them into the knock-out phase. It was an even contest with few goal-scoring opportunities.

But Uruguay — winners of both the 1930 and 1950 World Cup — went looking for more as they intended to win their group in style. Suarez should have put them ahead early on with a clear shot on goal but somehow shot wide when he had the goal at his mercy.

Andres Guardado — one of Mexico’s most dangerous players — almost put ‘El Tri’ ahead when in the 22nd minute his long-distance missile hit the crossbar.

Uruguay created a few clear goal-scoring opportunities, before Suarez finally put them ahead with the half-time whistle glooming.

After the break Mexico tested the Uruguay defense, but although they looked very lively, particularly through Giovani Dos Santos, they failed to penetrate the solid Uruguay backline.

Mexico’s best chance to draw level came in the 65th minute, when Francisco Rodriguez was presented with an open goal, but to the disbelief of his team-mates he fired his header wide.

Javier Aguirre’s side did everything they could to force a draw, but they were kept out by an outstanding Uruguay defense. Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was equally impressive — the Lazio goalkeeper has yet to concede a goal in the tournament.

With the win Uruguay topped Group A with seven points, being followed by Mexico with four points. South Africa, who beat France 2-1 also Tuesday, were third also with four points, but were eliminated due to an inferior goal-difference when compared to Mexico. France — the biggest disappointment of the competition — finished last with only one point.

Gregory Sica

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